How Countries Are Using Robotic Fish for Reconnaissance and Surveillance

Underwater robots, specially styled or disguised as real fish, will soon be patrolling the oceans. Reconnaissance, surveillance, research, search and rescue operations are far from a complete list of uses for such robots. Two of them are worth a closer look. 

Robotic stingray scouts

The UK's Royal Marines will soon use nearly undetectable underwater robots disguised as stingrays to monitor warships and submarines.

Raydrive is an underwater drone measuring 1 x 1.25 m, equipped with "wings" and 3D-printed fins. The British Army plans to use it for reconnaissance. The government allocated more than $138,000 for its development.

Thanks to its fish-like silent movement, the drone will be virtually invisible while gathering information from vessels in the water. The innovative device was developed by Animal Dynamics, a team from Oxford specializing in civilian and military drones that imitate wildlife. 

A scaled-down version of Raydrive was proudly displayed near a new Ministry of Defence base. It took three months to build a stingray-like device from scratch. Its military potential looks promising. The Royal Navy said there are several options for surveillance cameras, weapon modifications and sensor packages. 

The quiet and almost invisible drone can carry a sensor unit or a camera. It imitates nature so well that when viewed from above it cannot be told apart from a real stingray. Reportedly, the Royal Navy is also considering a tuna-shaped drone from the same Animal Dynamics. 

Groups of drones have already been used underwater, at sea and in the air, which is considered a historic event for the British armed forces. The trials, named Autonomous Advance Force 4.0, aim to create a combined force of people and machines to gain a "battlefield advantage".

"For the first time, the UK Ministry of Defence used a group of six medium and large payload drones in a single autonomously controlled swarm from a ground control station. The drones were tasked with tactical supply of everything needed, from ammunition for assault troops to blood for combat medics," said a representative of the UK Royal Navy. 

The ultimate goal is to seamlessly integrate autonomous systems at the front line to support forces on the battlefield. Through these experiments, it is possible to study tactics and build knowledge about how drones can and cannot be used. 

Robotic observer shark

China has unveiled a robotic shark drone that uses artificial intelligence to fire torpedoes at enemy ships. The drone can track enemy warships and submarines. Instead of a traditional propeller, Robo-Shark is powered by a bionic tail stabilizer.

The stealthy sea robot can move at speeds of up to 11 km/h, help the military conduct reconnaissance and carry out search-and-destroy missions. Beijing-based company Boya Gongdao Robot Technology developed the unmanned device and unveiled it in July 2021. 

The shark drone is already in service with the armed forces. Most such drones are launched from a submarine's torpedo tube, but the launch method for Robo-Shark is currently unknown. Other functions of the device include search and rescue, battlefield surveillance, hydrological surveys, communications relay and underwater tracking. 

Robo-Shark stands out for its low noise level, long service life and high flexibility. It also operates using artificial intelligence without operator involvement. The drone project was funded by the People's Liberation Army in the 1990s, and was first tested in the Taiwan Strait 10 years ago.

However, the existence of this "shark" has only now become known. Media reports say that during trials the drone was able to detect a dummy submarine, determine where it came from and accurately fire a torpedo at it. Professor Liang Guolong, who led the trials in 2010, hopes that eventually the drones will be able to hunt in packs. 

The shark weighs 75 kg and runs for about two hours. It can dive to a depth of up to 300 m. The drone's range is from 1.5 to 3 km, and it is controlled from a ground station. The device has an intelligent obstacle-avoidance system.

Many see China's latest technologies as a strong signal to the US and its allies about what they may face if they interfere in the country's affairs. The shark drone is one of a range of military technologies presented in China in July 2021. The country aims to meet the demands of future wars, so it is developing devices for use on land, at sea and in the air. 

Meanwhile, the US has long been developing its own line of underwater drones with different purposes, capabilities and power levels.