China's CSIC expands unmanned surface warfare portfolio with JARI USV

The state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) revealed in a 21 August announcement on its official WeChat social media account that its 716 Research Institute – also known as the Jiangsu Automation Research Institute (JARI) – has launched a new catamaran-hulled multirole unmanned surface vessel (USV).

A full-scale, production-ready example of the USV was recently shown docked at an undisclosed facility. Developed by JARI and CSIC’s 702 Research Institute – China Ship Scientific Research Centre (CSRRC) – the platform has been marketed as the JARI Multipurpose Unmanned Combat Boat at domestic and international defence exhibitions for several years.

A scale model of the JARI multirole USV seen at the Airshow China 2018 exhibition in Zhuhai. It’s proposed surface, sub-surface, and anti-air weapons are clearly shown. (IHS Markit/Kelvin Wong)

Both research institutes are based in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu with JARI located in the north-eastern Lianyugang city, while CSSRC is positioned in the southern city of Wuxi.

CSIC has already conducted what it claims to be extensive laboratory and at-sea trials of the JARI USV design and its associated equipment and software prior to the latest launch event. It had previously showcased a technology demonstrator at the Airshow China 2018 exhibition in Zhuhai.

According to company specifications, the JARI USV displaces approximately 20 tonnes, is 15 m long, 4.8 m wide, and has a 1.8 m draft. A waterjet propulsion system enables it to achieve a claimed sprint speed and maximum operating range of 42 kt and 500 n miles, respectively.