At this moment, it really feels like unification is getting closer: a large number of landing craft have been converted into automated unmanned obstacle-clearing boats!
Recently, a equipment renovation project has been rapidly advancing — the 271-series landing craft are being mass-modified into automated unmanned obstacle-clearing boats. This is not just "old wine in new bottles," but a deep restructuring of the future amphibious warfare system.
The 271-type landing craft itself is an old model that has been in service for many years, with a displacement of about 130 tons, capable of carrying approximately 80 fully armed soldiers or one main battle tank, and a speed of around 10 knots. These traditional landing craft have undertaken a large number of nearshore transport missions over the past few decades.
Now, they are undergoing a "transformational" upgrade: removing personnel compartments, adding autonomous navigation systems, remote control communication modules, obstacle recognition sensors, and blasting devices, transforming them into specialized unmanned platforms for beachhead obstacle clearance.
At least dozens of 271 boats have already entered the modification process, and the pace has clearly accelerated. This modification is not experimental in nature, but rather a systematic and organized deployment.
For example, in recent training and exercises by a certain amphibious combined arms brigade in the Eastern Theater Command, a formation consisting of 6 to 8 unmanned obstacle-clearing boats was seen, working together to carry out simulated beachhead clearing tasks. These boats can automatically identify underwater obstacles, minefields, or man-made anti-landing stakes, and open safe passages through定点爆破 (targeted blasting) or mechanical removal methods, without any need for personnel to board the boats during the entire process.
In recent years, during frequent multi-service joint landing exercises in Fujian, Guangdong, and other areas, the proportion of unmanned boats, drones, and unmanned vehicles in participating equipment has gradually increased. During a cross-sea live-force exercise in 2024, unmanned systems undertook more than 40% of the reconnaissance and obstacle-clearing tasks, which was almost unimaginable in the past.
This tangible technological progress really makes people feel that the steps toward unification are getting closer and closer.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1850296683296074/
Declaration: The article represents the views of the author himself.