Can AI-assisted unmanned vessels be Beijing’s answer to South China Sea patrols?

Researchers have proposed that wave-powered unmanned surface vessels (USVs) could be utilized by China for maritime rights and law enforcement, particularly in the context of heightened tensions in contested waters like the South China Sea. In an article published in Naval and Merchant Ships, Chen Xin and Chen Ruimiao stated that these self-powered vessels could offer significant value for the sustainable management of distant waters. The USVs convert vertical wave motion into forward thrust via a submerged fin assembly. This technology allows for the long-term deployment of these autonomous vessels in remote maritime areas.