China has reportedly achieved a milestone by developing a drone capable of performing both underwater and aerial operations. This advanced submarine-launched drone, named “Feiyi”, is claimed to have significant strategic potential, particularly in marine battlefields. Its developers argue that Feiyi offers better survival and concealment capabilities than drones currently used by the U.S. military.
The innovation comes amidst heightened concerns in Beijing about the potential deployment of underwater drones by the United States near China’s waters. These drones could execute surprise swarm attacks on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) during a possible conflict involving Taiwan.
Feiyi, the brainchild of researchers from the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU) and the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre (CARDC), is the world’s first drone with a foldable wing design. Its innovative feature allows it to seamlessly transition between air and water multiple times in a single mission.
The design, which mimics the folding and clinging of human arms, reduces water resistance and improves the drone’s concealment. These enhancements make Feiyi highly effective for covert operations in diverse environments, as SCMP reported.
The drone’s development has been detailed in a peer-reviewed paper published in Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica, a journal by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics. According to the paper, the technology combines efficient underwater navigation with superior aerial agility.
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Feiyi’s underwater performance sets it apart from existing cross-media drones. Its four pairs of rotating blades, which can flip and fold, enable efficient underwater navigation. Additionally, tail-mounted propellers provide robust propulsion and precise steering for underwater operations.
Chinese researchers claim that Feiyi can maintain stability even in rough waters. It takes only five seconds to submerge or transition from water to air. This rapid adaptability enhances its operational versatility, making it ideal for marine reconnaissance, surveillance, and attack missions.
Led by NWPU Associate Professor Dong Changyin, the project team has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into Feiyi’s system. This enables the drone to autonomously execute missions with specific objectives.
Compared to U.S. drones, which rely on torpedo-like tubes for underwater mobility and cannot transition back into the water, Feiyi’s design is far more versatile. This unique capability ensures better survival rates during missions and reduces the risk of detection.
As tensions in the Taiwan Strait persist, Beijing’s focus on developing advanced military technologies is intensifying. Reports indicate that China is exploring multiple types of cross-media weapons, including those powered by solid-fuel ramjet engines for high-speed cruising in both aerial and underwater environments.
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According to MIT, a study by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) highlights the growing role of drones in future conflicts. The U.S. military, for instance, has proposed deploying submarines near China’s coast to release drones capable of swarm attacks. However, China appears to have preemptively outpaced the Pentagon by developing Feiyi, a drone capable of looping between the sea and sky.
China’s robust drone production infrastructure has played a pivotal role in Feiyi’s development. According to reports, researchers have already conducted successful test flights demonstrating the drone’s operational capabilities.
The name “Feiyi” reflects its dual nature: “Fei” translates to “fly,” while “Yi” symbolizes a water bird preparing to take off. The drone embodies the fusion of efficient underwater navigation and high agility in the air, as noted by the project team.
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