China's 500-Tonne Unmanned Combat Vessel Debuts at Airshow China

China unveiled its largest unmanned combat vessel, JARI-USV-A, or "Orca," at the 15th Airshow China, held from November 12-17 in Zhuhai, Guangdong.

This 58-meter, 500-tonne unmanned surface vessel (USV), developed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, is designed for autonomous surface combat and multi-domain operations.

The vessel made its public debut on November 10 in a newly designated exhibition area in Lianzhou, Doumen District, set up for showcasing unmanned aerial and surface vehicles. Known for its stealth capabilities, the "Orca" is built with a trimaran hull and features a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system that allows it to achieve a range of over 4,000 nautical miles.

Equipped for autonomous long-range missions, the vessel is capable of beyond-visual-range strikes, air defense, anti-missile, and anti-submarine operations. The JARI-USV-A can also carry UAVs and UUVs, enabling cross-domain three-dimensional combat operations in coordination with other naval assets.

With its stealth design and high-speed capabilities, the "Orca" is intended to operate both independently and alongside manned naval fleets, offering China new capabilities in unmanned surface warfare.