Taiwanese heavy-lift UAV "Huilong"
AUV "Huilong" in dry dock
The Republic of China (Taiwan) is trying to maintain and develop its naval forces in various ways. In particular, over the past few years it has been developing its first autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The goal of the Hueilong project is to create a small unmanned submarine capable of patrolling waters, searching for and attacking various targets.
Under development
According to known data, work on the Huilong (Smart Dragon) project started in 2020. The project was ordered by the Taiwan Navy, and they also developed the tactical and technical requirements. The Zhongshan Institute of Science and Technology and the private shipbuilding company Lungteh Shipbuilding were selected as contractors.
For some time now, the Huilong project has been repeatedly mentioned in official reports from the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of China and in the press. However, most information about it has remained classified. For example, until recently, even the current state of the work was unknown.
The situation became clear only a few days ago, in the twenties of October. As it turned out, by now the development organizations have completed the design and built the first experimental AUV of the new type. Photos and video recordings showing the device in dry dock and on the water have also become publicly available.
The published photos are of great interest. They not only confirm the existence of the experimental Huilong, but also provide some details. Thus, in the photo from the dock, the AUV is captured with the bow torpedo tube cover open. In front of it is a farm with cradles for torpedoes or other underwater vehicles.
The AUV was also filmed on the water. The device was located near a special pontoon with a light shelter. People were working on the device and next to it. Apparently, preparations were underway for some events as part of the tests. In addition, a video was published showing the AUV being towed along the port waters.
For obvious reasons, there is no information about the current work. The start date of the tests and the planned end date, the work program, the systems used, etc. are unknown. However, officials have recently revealed some of the goals and technical features of the project.
Small submarine
From a technical point of view, Hueilong is a small submarine with limited displacement, capable of operating without a crew. At the same time, the new AUV has very limited capabilities. Thus, recently the Minister of Defense of Taiwan said at a press conference that the device is only a prototype and is intended solely for testing technologies.
Available photographs show that the Taiwanese AUV is built using a single or one and a half hull design. It has a cylindrical hull with a hemispherical nose cone and a conical stern. On board there is a wheelhouse similar to those used on conventional submarines. The overall length of the device reaches 30 m, the width of the hull is about 3,6 m, and the height including the wheelhouse is about 6 m. The displacement is 100 tons.
The aft part of the AUV with a non-functional propeller
According to the Minister of Defense, the experimental AUV does not have a full-fledged power plant and is not capable of independent movement. It will probably be tested using additional means. However, the device is equipped with power systems that ensure the operation of all onboard equipment.
It can be assumed that the Hueilong has a full set of means for remote and autonomous control. The AUV must have a set of various sensors and tracking and detection systems, and also needs a full-fledged autopilot. According to some foreign estimates, there may be full-fledged crew workplaces on board, but only as backup.
The Taiwanese AUV should be equipped with surveillance and target search capabilities. It is likely to have a retractable periscope with optics, including all-day and all-weather. A hydroacoustic station may also be on board. It is possible to use both a bow and side-view sonar.
The bow of the hull contains two torpedo tubes of unknown caliber, indicating the ability of the AUV to perform combat missions. Probably, the Hueilong will be able to carry mine-torpedo weapons. It is also impossible to rule out the possibility of using missiles, designed to be launched from torpedo tubes.
According to various estimates, a heavy AUV will be able to become a carrier of unmanned vehicles of the light class. Small underwater vehicles in the form factor of a torpedo will be placed in the bow torpedo tubes and, if necessary, go outside. Thanks to such technology, it will be possible to significantly improve the situational awareness of the "large" vehicle and increase the efficiency of its work.
Preparing for tug trials
Plans for the future
In the near future, the experimental "Smart Dragon" will have to undergo another stage of testing. For now, it will have to work in a reduced configuration, without a full power plant and, possibly, not with all onboard systems. Nevertheless, even in this form, the Taiwanese AUV will demonstrate some of its characteristics and capabilities, and will also help to determine ways to improve the design.
At the next stage, the Huilong prototype will receive the missing units, or a second prototype will be built in full configuration. After that, full and comprehensive tests will be conducted, and the fine-tuning process will be completed. All these activities may take several more years.
Then the first Taiwanese heavy AUV will go into serial production. The Navy wants to build at least a small batch of such equipment. Serial devices will enter service and expand the Navy's capabilities in solving a wide variety of tasks.
The Hueilong drones will patrol the waters around Taiwan Island in search of potentially dangerous objects, from sea mines to potential enemy submarines. They will also respond to identified threats. The UAVs may be able to carry explosive ordnance disposal equipment or anti-submarine weapons.
It is not yet known how many new underwater vehicles can be ordered and accepted into service by the Taiwanese Navy. A significant number of such UAVs, up to dozens, are required to fully cover the island's coast and protect nearby waters.
Huilong on the water
However, the actual order and production volumes are likely to be significantly lower. The timeframe for the Hueilong project is indicative of its complexity and the impossibility of quickly building a large number of underwater vehicles. The Navy will receive a limited number of such equipment and will be forced to optimize the organization of their patrols and combat use.
The operational and combat potential of the new AUV cannot yet be determined. Available information indicates its ability to solve various tasks, but actual capabilities have not yet been demonstrated. In addition, the full composition of the equipment, its characteristics and other details are unknown.
With all this, there are also reasons for negative forecasts. The fact is that the Huilong project is being created with the aim of confronting the PRC. The main targets for search and attack by the new AUVs are considered to be ships and submarines of the PLA Navy. However, the difference in the forces of the two fleets so great that no advanced underwater vehicles will be able to influence it or the results of a hypothetical collision.
On the way to success
Thus, Taiwan's military industry has developed and built its first heavy-duty UAV and has already launched it for preliminary testing. All this can already be considered a great success for the island nation and its enterprises.
However, the practical value of the new development remains in question. Various factors related to both the current tests and the expected methods of combat use of the UAVs prevent it from being assessed. Nevertheless, we can already expect that in the near future, Hueilong will receive all the necessary units, undergo full tests and demonstrate its full potential.
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