Intelligent Water class AUV
Encyclopedia
Intelligence class autonomous underwater vehicle
(AUV) is a class of little known ROUV developed by Shipbuilding Engineering Institute (船舶工程学院) of Harbin Engineering University
(HEU) for the People's Liberation Army Navy
(PLAN) of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
The name of this class AUV, Zhi-Shui, is an abbreviation of Intelligent underwater robotic (Zhi-Neng Shui-Xia Ji-Qi-Ren, 智能水下机器人, with Zhi-Neng = Intelligent, Shui-Xia = Underwater, and Ji-Qi-Ren = Robotic). This class of AUV is developed based on the experience gained from Explorer AUV
developed earlier, and is currently consisted of three models (as the end of 2009):
Zhishui-III has a similar appearance to earlier Explorer AUV
, with a cylindrical body resembling a miniature submarine without the conning tower. Contrary to most other AUVs that are often powered by a single propeller, Zhishui-III is powered by twin propellers. The two shrouded propellers are installed just below the horizontal control surfaces of the crucifix control surfaces at the stern. Zhishui class AUV is claimed to be capable of performing a variety of tasks by the designers, but no details are released because it is designed for military application from the start, as opposed to other Chinese AUVs that are also used for civilian applications. Zhishui-II/III are currently in service with PLAN.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
An autonomous underwater vehicle is a robot which travels underwater without requiring input from an operator. AUVs constitute part of a larger group of undersea systems known as unmanned underwater vehicles, a classification that includes non-autonomous remotely operated underwater vehicles...
(AUV) is a class of little known ROUV developed by Shipbuilding Engineering Institute (船舶工程学院) of Harbin Engineering University
Harbin Engineering University
Harbin Engineering University was founded in 1953, in Harbin, China. It used to host the PLA Military Engineering Institute, China's foremost institute in that field. Following the deterioration of China's relations with the USSR after the Sino-Soviet border conflict, it divided into six...
(HEU) for the People's Liberation Army Navy
People's Liberation Army Navy
The People's Liberation Army Navy is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army , the military of the People's Republic of China. Until the early 1990s, the navy performed a subordinate role to the PLA Land Forces. Since then, it has undergone rapid modernisation...
(PLAN) of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
The name of this class AUV, Zhi-Shui, is an abbreviation of Intelligent underwater robotic (Zhi-Neng Shui-Xia Ji-Qi-Ren, 智能水下机器人, with Zhi-Neng = Intelligent, Shui-Xia = Underwater, and Ji-Qi-Ren = Robotic). This class of AUV is developed based on the experience gained from Explorer AUV
Explorer AUV
Explorer Autonomous underwater vehicle is a Chinese AUV developed in the People's Republic of China , first entering service in November 1994, and it should not be confused with another two Anglo-American AUVs that share the same name: the American built by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,...
developed earlier, and is currently consisted of three models (as the end of 2009):
- Zhishui-I, the first model which is rumored (yet to be confirmed) used as a training and teaching aid instead of being deployed in the field.
- Zhishui-II, which won the 1st place of China Shipbuilding Industry CorporationChina Shipbuilding Industry CorporationThe China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation is one of the two largest shipbuilding conglomerates in China, the other being the China State Shipbuilding Corporation . It was formed by the Government of the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1999 from companies spun off from CSSC. It is...
(CSIC) Science and Technology Advancement Award - Zhishui-III, completed trials in July, 2000 and subsequently entered Chinese service.
Zhishui-III has a similar appearance to earlier Explorer AUV
Explorer AUV
Explorer Autonomous underwater vehicle is a Chinese AUV developed in the People's Republic of China , first entering service in November 1994, and it should not be confused with another two Anglo-American AUVs that share the same name: the American built by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,...
, with a cylindrical body resembling a miniature submarine without the conning tower. Contrary to most other AUVs that are often powered by a single propeller, Zhishui-III is powered by twin propellers. The two shrouded propellers are installed just below the horizontal control surfaces of the crucifix control surfaces at the stern. Zhishui class AUV is claimed to be capable of performing a variety of tasks by the designers, but no details are released because it is designed for military application from the start, as opposed to other Chinese AUVs that are also used for civilian applications. Zhishui-II/III are currently in service with PLAN.