Chinese researchers have claimed that artificial intelligence (AI) controlled unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) could be the answer for maritime rights and law enforcement in the South China Sea.

Potentially “of great value,” according to a study published in the Chinese journal Naval and Merchant Ships, this approach could be used to help defend Chinese interests in the region.

USVs, in case you are unaware, are robotic ocean-going drones that can stay at sea for extended periods of time. They require no fuel, have no human crew, and are very quiet in operation.

To this end, China (and other nations) is looking into using them to maintain a constant maritime presence in disputed waters, such as the South China Sea. The idea is to use them like small boats

Wave-powered drones

In particular, China is reportedly considering wave-powered versions that can generate their own power at sea. These work by the drone having a submerged fin or glider assembly under its hull.

The boat (and fin/gliders) are moved around by ocean waves, with the vertical motion of waves being converted into forward motion. You can liken it to an underwater pendulum or fish tail harvesting wave energy continuously.

Similar systems already exist elsewhere in the world, with the best-known example being the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider, used by the US and researchers for ocean monitoring.

Of particular note is that such drones are “near silent” as they lack internal combustion engines (ICEs). A wave-powered craft has almost no engine noise, making it useful for passive listening, submarine detection, and stealthy surveillance.

However, it should be noted that the study, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), says they are for “law enforcement” only. That said, it wouldn’t take much to include military-grade payloads.

This could include cameras, radars, hydrophones, electronic warfare (EW) packages, communications relays, etc. During times of war, they would be very cheap and disposable tools for things like submarine tracking, targeting data relays, drone swarm support nodes, etc.

No crew, no problems

Such systems could be of great value to China, which faces mounting pressure in waterways like the South China Sea. Traditionally, maintaining vigilance in places like the South China Sea requires constant Naval patrols, which are expensive.

Crewed ships consume fuel and require logistics, and manned coast guard operations are politically escalatory. Use of other assets, like aircraft, is also not constant, as they can’t loiter indefinitely.

And so, it is argued, wave-powered drones could be an ideal solution, at least on paper. If realized, they could be used to provide persistent surveillance to track foreign ships, monitor reefs, watch fishing fleets, collect acoustic or radar data, and act as “tripwire” sensors.

So, instead of having a destroyer or frigate-class asset on station, China could send dozens or hundreds of cheap, autonomous drones instead. Not only would this be cheaper, but it would also allow China to cover larger areas, too.

Such drones could also be used for so-called “Grey Zone” warfare. A step down from outright warfare, drones like this could act as a kind of maritime militia with swarm tactic capabilities, all the while disguised as non-military-looking vessels.