Development Concept of a Shipborne Supercavitating Projectile Interception System for Counter-UUV Defense

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jsse.202508106

Author(s)

Hao Ge, Shenglei Yang

Affiliation(s)

Jiangsu Automation Research Institute, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China

Abstract

The rapid advancement of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) technology has led to its growing application in military reconnaissance and underwater combat, posing severe challenges to conventional underwater defense architectures. This paper investigates the current development status of international supercavitating projectile weapons and assesses the counter-UUV defense requirements for surface combatants. It further examines the technical superiority and operational potential of supercavitating projectiles in countering UUV threats, proposing an integrated system architecture for shipborne supercavitating projectile-based counter-UUV defense systems. Critical technological components of each subsystem are analyzed. By leveraging ultra-high speed, near-instantaneous response, and enhanced lethality, supercavitating projectiles demonstrate the capability to overcome bottlenecks inherent in traditional underwater interception methods, thereby offering a transformative paradigm for future undersea warfare strategies.

Keywords

Supercavitating; Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV); Surface Combatant; Underwater Defense

References

[1]Li Mingquan. Supercavitation Weapon Technology. Modern Military, 2001, (08):38-40. [2]Wang Zhiying, Wang Jingzhu, Huang Jian, et al. Research progress on the stability mechanism and control of ventilated supercavitation . Advances in Mechanics, 2025, 55(01):175-217. [3]Wei Ping, Hou Jian, Yang Ke. Summary of Supercavitating Projectile Researches . Ship Electronic Engineering, 2008, (04):13-17 + 128. [4]Tian Hengdou, Fang Yi. The Development Trend of Surface Warship Anti-Torpedo Technology . Journal of Ordnance Equipment Engineering, 2017, (7):8-10. [5]Wei Haipeng, Lian Xiao, Wang Fanyu, et al. Research on the Influence of Pre-set Rudder Angle on the In-water Motion Characteristics of Supercavitating Configured Vehicles . Journal of Ordnance Equipment Engineering, 2025, 46(01):89-96. [6]Lü Zhimin, Shen Chao, Chen Yongkui. Discussion on Supercavitating Projectile Technology . Ship Science and Technology, 2007, (S1):92-94. [7]Xu Haiyun, Wang Lu, Xie Junhong. Research on the Test Scheme of Rocket-assisted Torpedo Anti-submarine Attack . Fire Control & Command Control, 2017, 42(07):180-183. [8]Wei Ping, Wang Yiming, Wang Fashou, et al. Numerical Simulation of Supercavitating Underwater Vehicle Penetrating Target Plate with Cavitation Bubble Based on Filling Method . Journal of Naval University of Engineering, 2024, 36(04):107-112. [9]Gong Shilong, Dang Jianjun, Li Shaoxing, et al. Optimization Design Method of Supercavitating Projectile Based on BP Neural Network . Acta Armamentarii, 2025, 1-10. [10]Hong Hao. Development Conception of Shipborne Supercavitating Projectile Anti-torpedo Weapon System . Fire Control & Command Control, 2019, 44(03):181-185.