Recently, a miniature unmanned boat code-named "marlin" developed by a Russian naval academy has attracted attention.

  In recent years, micro unmanned boats have been able to effectively respond to the attacks of enemy light boats and suicide unmanned boats with the tactic of "making big with small profits", and have become one of the emerging forces in ship defense operations.

  A small body hidden intent

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  Data picture: Schematic diagram of the performance introduction of "marlin" unmanned boat (Source: China National Defense News)

  According to the information currently disclosed, the "marlin" unmanned boat developed by Russia is less than 1 meter long and can reach dozens of knots. Referring to the classification standards of unmanned surface boats, the "marlin" unmanned boat is a "smaller than small" micro unmanned boat, which mainly achieves combat goals through suicide impacts and detonates targets.

  Why can micro unmanned boats become an emerging force in ship defense operations? Military observer Cao Weidong analyzed that the core design concept of micro unmanned boats like "marlin" lies in the design of "small, fast, accurate" and "consumable" and can achieve unexpected and "use small to make big" combat effects in local conflicts.

  Cao Weidong: First, this micro unmanned hull is small in size and has very good concealment.

  Second, this micro unmanned boat is fast, with a speed of about 70 kilometers per hour, and its speed during offense or defense is incomparable to other ships.

  Third, this micro unmanned boat has low economic costs and can be equipped with large numbers of troops to form a "swarm" effect.

  Ship Defense Transformation

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  File photo: On April 11, 2024, a Ukrainian soldier was displaying control of a sea unmanned boat (Source: Reference News)

  Cao Weidong believes that the research and development of the "marlin" unmanned boat not only summarizes the practical experience of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, but also combines forward-looking predictions for future operations, reflecting the trend of ship defense transformation from traditional relying on heavy weapons to "low-cost, high-density, and intelligence".

  Cao Weidong: Ukraine and NATO use unmanned ships to cooperate with drones, posing a serious threat to Russian warships. The Russian army can only use rapid-fire guns or naval guns to counterattack, which is not effective and suffers a lot of losses.

  Nowadays, the Russian army can drive away or even destroy the other side's unmanned boats through the "marlins", thereby ensuring the safety of its own large surface ships. In addition, "marlin" may incorporate more artificial intelligence technologies, and can independently launch a strike against the enemy when it is close to each other.

  Challenges and opportunities coexist

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  Data picture: Türkiye's micro unmanned boat (Source: China National Defense News)

  Cao Weidong pointed out that although the micro unmanned boats represented by the "marlin" have outstanding advantages in ship defense operations, their shortcomings are also obvious. Whether micro unmanned boats can play an important role in ship defense operations in the future is worthy of continuous attention.

  Cao Weidong: When the enemy's drone-mounted drone discovers the "marlin", it may release the drone and attach the drone to the "marlin" to commit self-destruction, which poses a certain threat to the Russian army's miniature unmanned boats.

  After all, the "marlin" carries a small amount of ammunition and has limited damage to enemy large ships.

  The Russian army will try its best to improve the speed, maneuverability and explosion power of the "marlins", and may explore coordinated combat with drones.

  After this unmanned boat is equipped with the Russian Navy, it will provide effective protection for Russian warships.

[Editor in charge: Wang Jinzhi]