XTDT unmanned vehicles
Chinese uncrewed vehicles for underwater and hull maintenance missions.
XTDT unmanned vehicles are uncrewed systems built by Xi'an Tianhe Defense Technology Co. Ltd. (XTDT) in the People's Republic of China. Most of these vehicles serve Chinese government agencies, departments, state-owned enterprises, and the military. The lineup includes the China Shadowless autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) family and a hull cleaning robot.
The China Shadowless (Zhong-Guo-Wu-Ying) AUVs are a little-known series of unmanned underwater vehicles developed jointly by Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) and XTDT. Work began in 2010 under the 863 Program’s Deep Sea Submersible Technology and Equipment project, with NPU as the general designer. After more than five years, development finished, and XTDT took over series production for efficiency. All models have torpedo-shaped hulls and come in various sizes, intended for underwater inspection, observation, surveying, and military tasks like minesweeping. By the early 2020s, four models had been identified, some with derivatives based on their use: the TH-B010 micro AUV, the TH-B050 transportable AUV (weighing 50 kg), the TH-B300 mini AUV, and the TH-B600 mid-sized AUV. The TH-B010E, a derivative of the TH-B010, is used by the People's Liberation Army Navy as a disposable anti-submarine training drone and as an underwater decoy launched from submarines to distract torpedoes. The TH-B050 also has a derivative called the TH-B050R.
XTDT’s hull cleaning robot is an unmanned vehicle designed to replace divers for cleaning ship hulls, removing salt, rust, and marine organisms. Besides cleaning, it can also perform painting, inspection, and sanding tasks.
- Developer
- Xi'an Tianhe Defense Technology Co. Ltd. (XTDT)
- Country
- People's Republic of China
- Notable family
- China Shadowless AUVs
- Models identified
- TH-B010, TH-B050, TH-B300, TH-B600
- Derivatives
- TH-B010E, TH-B050R
- Hull cleaning robot
- Developed by XTDT
Lore & Background
The China Shadowless AUV family was jointly developed by Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) and XTDT under the Deep Sea Submersible Technology and Equipment project of the 863 Program, beginning in 2010 with NPU as general designer. After more than half a decade, development was completed, and series production was handled by XTDT. All models adopt a torpedo-shaped hull and vary in size, intended for underwater inspection, observation, surveying, and military applications such as minesweeping. As of the early 2020s, four models have been identified: TH-B010 (micro AUV), TH-B050 (transportable AUV weighing 50 kg), TH-B300 (mini AUV), and TH-B600 (mid-sized AUV). A derivative of TH-B010, designated TH-B010E, is used by the People's Liberation Army Navy as a disposable anti-submarine training drone and an underwater decoy launched by submarines to distract incoming torpedoes. TH-B050 has a derivative designated TH-B050R. XTDT also developed a hull cleaning robot designed to replace divers for cleaning ship hulls of salt, rust, and marine animals, and to perform painting, inspection, and sanding.
Reader's Guide
XTDT unmanned vehicles represent a Chinese effort to field a range of underwater drones for both civilian and military roles. The China Shadowless AUVs, developed under the national 863 Program, show a transition from academic research at NPU to production by XTDT, reflecting a pattern of state-supported technology transfer. The four identified models cover micro to mid-sized platforms, with derivatives like the TH-B010E serving specific naval needs such as anti-submarine training and torpedo decoys. The hull cleaning robot addresses practical maritime maintenance, reducing reliance on divers. These vehicles are in service with Chinese government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and the military, indicating broad adoption. The limited public information on the China Shadowless family suggests a degree of secrecy, typical of Chinese military-related projects. Overall, XTDT's portfolio illustrates China's growing capability in uncrewed underwater systems for inspection, survey, and defense applications.
Did You Know?
- The TH-B010E derivative is used by the PLAN as a disposable anti-submarine training drone and an underwater decoy.
- XTDT's hull cleaning robot can perform painting, inspection, and sanding in addition to cleaning.
- The TH-B050 model is a transportable AUV weighing 50 kg.
More in Underwater and Surface Drones, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced