Researchers in China have officially set a Guinness World Record for deploying the largest swarm of underwater drones in history. The trial, conducted in August 2026, involved 116 TH-618 drones operating autonomously inside a 164-foot by 65-foot pool. Northwestern Polytechnical University led the experiment in conjunction with Xi'an Tianhe Maritime Technologies, a subsidiary of defense contractor Xian Tianhe Defense Technology. During the test, the robotic vehicles executed a series of formations and maneuvers entirely without human intervention, relying solely on visual data over a span of roughly 34 minutes to cover more than 1,600 feet.
Key takeaways
- A team in China deployed 116 TH-618 underwater drones in a record-breaking pool trial recognized by Guinness World Records.
- The individual drones measure roughly two feet long, weigh 11 pounds, and use smartphone cameras with AI systems for navigation.
- The experiment ties directly into the People's Liberation Army's expanding focus on autonomous drone swarms for naval operations.
- Global powers including the United States and European nations are similarly investing in maritime drones and countermeasures.
Engineering challenges of underwater drone swarms
Underwater drone navigation remains exceptionally complex compared to aerial alternatives because developers cannot rely on satellite positioning, GPS, or wireless communications for course calibration. Low visibility and intense water pressure further complicate subsurface coordination. To overcome these hurdles, the TH-618 drones utilize smartphone cameras attached to their fronts, allowing onboard artificial intelligence systems to adjust routes in real time. Each 11-pound drone measures roughly two feet long by half a foot wide, featuring four propellers, an operational range of just over 18 miles, and a battery life of approximately eight hours.
These compact submersibles utilize multi-degree-of-freedom thrusters to autonomously execute complex maneuvers such as terrain tracking, landmark recognition, vertical lift, depth and speed control, and water hovering. Without GPS, the technology depends on an intricate amalgamation of underwater sensing, subsurface target detection, and acoustic communication to navigate irregular operating environments. The successful pool trial represents the culmination of over two decades of research into AI-powered underwater navigation systems.
Strategic implications and military buildup
The record-setting demonstration carries strong ties to China's military pipeline, as Northwestern Polytechnical University is designated by the United States government as a developer of technologies for the People's Liberation Army. While the People's Liberation Army Navy boasts the world's largest navy and has commissioned three aircraft carriers over the past fifteen years, its fleet still trails the United States in total firepower. Military analysts note that low-cost autonomous drone swarms could help close this gap by patrolling contested littoral waters in the South China Sea and potentially overwhelming traditional naval defenses.
Beyond military applications, researchers highlight the potential for coordinated submersibles to inspect critical aquatic infrastructure, map the ocean floor, and monitor gas pipelines. However, Western military experts warn that extensive maritime surveys conducted by China in strategically vital waterways also boost subsurface intelligence operations. The initiative forms part of a broader seabed-to-space defense architecture known as the Transparent Ocean, which envisions coordinated patrols across aerial, surface, and submarine domains.
The global naval drone race
China is not alone in pursuing maritime drone technology. Following military conflicts where naval drones demonstrated high effectiveness against traditional fleets, global powers have raced to adopt asymmetric weapons. The United States military initiated an open call for submarine defense systems in July 2026, and the U.S. Navy recently launched its initial unmanned surface vessel alongside a carrier strike group. Meanwhile, European researchers have pursued autonomous subsurface swarms through the European Defence Agency's Swarm of Biomimetic Underwater Vehicles project. Observers suggest that China's status as a leading manufacturer of drone components and ships provides a distinct advantage in this expanding technological arms race.
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