The Jiaolong manned submersible has successfully concluded its 7,000-meter sea trials in the Philippine Basin. The vessel completed three test dives, with two of them exceeding the 7,000-meter mark and reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters.
The trials were part of the China Ocean 100 scientific expedition. The submersible underwent significant upgrades, including the installation of a high-energy density oil-immersed lithium battery pack and domestic direct-drive low-noise DC thrusters.
Additional technical improvements include an expanded emergency hydraulic system interface, deep-sea hydraulic buoyancy adjustment, and high-definition camera systems. These modifications were designed to enhance power, propulsion, and electrical capabilities.
Sun Yongfu, a researcher at the National Deep Sea Center, confirmed that the tests validated the reliability and safety of the upgraded components and domestic replacements. The project is part of the national key research and development plan.
