Last week, China announced its launching of the world’s first crewless drone carrier, which operates using artificial intelligence to navigate open water autonomously. The Chinese government has said that this vessel will be used as a maritime research tool, but many skeptics suggest that it could also be used as a military vessel.

The vessel is about 290 feet long, 45 feet wide and 20 feet deep. It can carry dozens of drones equipped with various observation instruments for air, sea, and underwater. The vessel can also be used to collect data. From a scientific standpoint, China’s drones could collect data from both the surface and subsurface for use in disaster mitigation and environmental monitoring – all without a crew or any direct human interaction on the vessel.

Technologies like this drone-carrying, AI-equipped vessel have dual use applications. In addition to scientific research, such technologies can be used to conduct surveillance and domain awareness.

Vessels like this will transform ocean observation and data collection abilities from the sea. It utilizes the “Intelligent Mobile Ocean Stereo Observing System” which was developed by the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory. It can be controlled remotely and is capable of traveling up to 18 knots per hour (i.e., 20 mph).

The vessel has been unveiled, but China will continue to conduct sea trials before its official use and maiden voyage later in 2022.

Photo of Kathryn Rattigan Kathryn Rattigan

Kathryn Rattigan is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Data Privacy+ Cybersecurity Team. She concentrates her practice on privacy and security compliance under both state and federal regulations and advising clients on website and mobile app privacy and security…

Kathryn Rattigan is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Data Privacy+ Cybersecurity Team. She concentrates her practice on privacy and security compliance under both state and federal regulations and advising clients on website and mobile app privacy and security compliance. Kathryn helps clients review, revise and implement necessary policies and procedures under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). She also provides clients with the information needed to effectively and efficiently handle potential and confirmed data breaches while providing insight into federal regulations and requirements for notification and an assessment under state breach notification laws. Prior to joining the firm, Kathryn was an associate at Nixon Peabody. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Roger Williams University School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Stonehill College. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.