China launches underwater cable cutting robot technology nearly 4,000 meters deep

China unveils 4,000-meter-deep underwater cable cutter, incorporating advanced robotic technology, raising concerns about global telecommunications security. Developed by the China Shipbuilding Science Research Center, the device uses diamond grinding wheels and titanium casing, and operates precisely thanks to a robotic arm.

The new cable cutter, developed by the China Shipbuilding Science Research Center, is designed to operate with advanced submarines such as the Fendouzhe and Haidou series. Capable of severing armored communications cables made of steel and polymer, the device plays a vital role in maintaining or disrupting the global communications network, which is responsible for 95% of the world’s data transmission.

China's deep-sea cable cutter can cut cables up to 2.4 inches thick, at depths of nearly 4,000 meters. (Source: Sustainability time)

The device uses a diamond-coated grinding wheel, rotating at 1,600 rpm, allowing it to break steel cables without disturbing the seabed. Its titanium alloy casing and oil-cushioning system help it withstand the extreme pressure at the bottom of the ocean. Controlled by a robotic arm with an advanced positioning system, the device ensures high accuracy even in low visibility conditions.

The device is powered by a 1-kilowatt motor and an 8:1 gear ratio, balancing performance and energy efficiency. Although designed for civilian applications such as underwater rescue and deep-sea mining, the device raises international security concerns. The ability to sever cables in strategic locations, such as near Guam, could severely disrupt global communications.

China’s development of undersea technology is part of a larger strategy to expand its infrastructure and influence in the oceans. With the world’s largest submarine fleet, China has access to vast areas of ocean. New cable-cutting equipment, which can be operated from hard-to-detect unmanned platforms, offers a tactical advantage when targeting strategic chokepoints.

While Chinese scientists claim the device is for “marine resource development,” its military potential cannot be overlooked. Tests have shown that the device can cut cables up to 2.4 inches thick.

Thanh Tra

Link: Source: Sustainability time

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