China unveils ‘world’s first’ autonomous drone that can hunt submarines: Report

China has unveiled the Wing Loong X, a large autonomous drone showcased at the Dubai Airshow 2025, which it claims to be the world’s first unmanned aerial vehicle capable of fully independent anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The drone features a wingspan of over 20 meters, can operate autonomously for up to 40 hours at altitudes of up to 10,000 meters, and is equipped to deploy sonobuoys—floating sensors that detect submarines underwater. Unlike traditional manned ASW aircraft, the Wing Loong X reportedly uses onboard AI to analyze acoustic data, classify targets, and can carry lightweight anti-submarine torpedoes to engage threats autonomously. If these claims hold true, the Wing Loong X could significantly enhance China’s maritime surveillance and control, especially in contested areas like the South China Sea, by enabling persistent, cost-effective submarine detection and engagement without the need for expensive manned aircraft. However, the use of AI for autonomous target identification