Asia's first and the world's largest offshore test site for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) begins operations on Nov 30 in the Wanshan Archipelago of Zhuhai.

Accompanying the opening is the first USV (Wanshan) Development Forum to be held on Dong'ao in the center of the islands group.

Tested will be the autonomous navigation of USVs and intelligent vessels, unmanned system coordination of air-sea-submarine forces, and intelligent marine equipment. Notably, the site will be used to develop products, demonstrate systems, test and certify technologies, and provide training.

Multi-scene and multi-dimensional tests of USVs of various types will be available through data programming. A testing field, automatic mooring terminals, communications, and network security infrastructure will be up and running when the field opens.

Rendering of navigation control center [File photo]

Taking advantage of the undertaking, Zhuhai Wanshan Marine USV Test Field Co will use the development forum to gather authoritative advice on how to facilitate USV technology, standardization, industry trends, and collaborative cooperation.

Specialists, scholars, government officials, regulators, industry associations, and researchers will attend. Chief among them will be Zhu Yingfu, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of the Liaoning aircraft carrier.

The city government, China Classification Society, Wuhan University of Technology, and Yunzhou-Tech are providing specific guidance. They signed a memorandum of cooperation last December to design the project. Construction commenced in February.

The Wanshan Marine Development Experimental Zone is assisting in event organization.