Key facts
- China is developing 'heterogeneous' equipment for multi-domain combat that can operate underwater for long periods.
- The Type 041 submarine reportedly uses a tiny nuclear reactor to charge batteries, enabling submerged operations for up to 20 days.
- Laser propulsion technology could allow underwater vehicles to travel faster than sound with reduced detection risk.
- Chinese scientists are working on improving laser-induced plasma detonation wave propulsion efficiency.
China is advancing its submarine technology with a focus on multi-domain combat capabilities and enhanced stealth. A Chinese research team has proposed "heterogeneous" equipment designed to rapidly reconfigure for missions across land, water, air, and electromagnetic environments, including extended underwater operations.
Separately, China has reportedly developed a unique hybrid nuclear-battery attack submarine, the Type 041. This vessel utilizes a small nuclear reactor to recharge its batteries, a novel approach that allows for significantly longer submerged endurance compared to traditional diesel-electric submarines. Analysts suggest this could enable the Type 041 to remain submerged for up to 20 days, a tenfold improvement, and operate at speeds of nine to 10 knots, aiding stealthy near-shore operations in the western Pacific.
Further advancements include experimental laser propulsion technology. Chinese scientists have improved laser-induced plasma detonation wave propulsion, which uses laser pulses to generate thrust and create "supercavitation" to reduce water resistance. This technology could potentially allow underwater vehicles to travel at unprecedented speeds, even faster than sound, without generating mechanical noise that indicates their position. However, challenges such as optical fiber heat dissipation and underwater steering remain.