China launches drone that can both fly and dive, launched from submarine
Jan 23, 2025
Beijing [China], January 23: Scientists in China have developed a drone that can perform missions in the air and underwater.
Scientists at the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU) in China and the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center (CARDC) have developed the world's first drone that can be launched from a submarine, perform underwater and airborne missions, and then return to the ship, the South China Morning Post reported on January 22 .
The team said that with its folding wing design, the drone can move through the water-air environment multiple times during each deployment. The drone, called Feiyi, is described as having great potential for military applications such as maritime reconnaissance, surveillance and attack.
According to Army Recognition , the foldable propellers allow the drone to move flexibly underwater, reducing drag and providing stealth. To achieve maximum efficiency, Feiyi uses separate propulsion systems for air and underwater operations. The air propulsion system relies on four propellers for flexible and stable flight, while four underwater thrusters provide precise control.
When launched from the submarine and surfaced, Feiyi could maintain an upright position against the waves, spread out its four fan-mounted arms, and then take off. After landing back on the water, the drone's wings would fold up and the device could dive for five seconds.
The drone's control system incorporates Active Turbulence Rejection Control (ADRC) technology, an advanced method that compensates for environmental disturbances during air and water transitions, allowing the drone to perform multiple missions in one deployment.
In civilian use, Feiyi can be used for environmental monitoring, underwater resource exploration and search and rescue missions. This is considered a step forward in China's unmanned equipment industry , in the context of unmanned weapons becoming more popular and widely applied.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
