VECTORDEFENCE DRONE
INTELLIGENCE
INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE
THE EVOLVING FIELD GUIDE
Editor

Sea surface · Uncrewed surface vessel

JARI small USV

The smaller JARI surface-vessel development, launched in 2019 and distinct from the later large Orca.

Role & capabilities

  • Maritime surveillance
  • Modular mission equipment
Supplier-reported statusSupplier-reported status
Primary domain
Sea surface
System type
Uncrewed surface vessel
Developer / manufacturer
CSIC/CSSC 716 and 702 research institutes
Origin / production countries
China
Other names
JARI multipurpose unmanned combat boat; JARI USV
Variants / configurations
Not distinguished in reviewed sources
Operators / programme customers
Not identified in reviewed sources

Evidence & current status

The launch statement is available through an official military-hosted report, not a recovered original developer datasheet. Readiness remains a supplier claim; no named fleet acceptance established.

The original small JARI was developed by the 716 and 702 research institutes within China's state shipbuilding industry. It was promoted as a multipurpose uncrewed vessel capable of hosting several naval sensor and mission systems. Its public history includes exhibition models and a reported launch of a full-size craft in August 2019.

China Military reproduced the developer's launch statement, including a claim of initial readiness and an explicit acknowledgement that further testing was needed to develop fully autonomous operation. Those two points belong together: a launch announcement does not establish acceptance into a named naval unit, production quantities or validation of every mission shown on an exhibition model.

The roughly 15-metre boat must be separated from JARI-USV-A, the much larger Orca unveiled in 2024. Shared branding is not evidence that dimensions, propulsion, range or sensor fits transfer between them. Here, the few numerical particulars retained are attributed to the official-hosted report of the original small configuration. An original developer data sheet, later trial documentation and an identifiable customer acceptance record remain the most useful next evidence.

Sourced specifications

Figures apply to the named configuration. Maximum values are not guaranteed operating performance.

SpecificationReported valueContext & source
ConfigurationSmall multipurpose USVPublished configuration baseline; not independently demonstrated at every loading and sea condition. Source ↗
Hull / propulsionNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
DimensionsApproximately 15 m lengthPublished configuration baseline; not independently demonstrated at every loading and sea condition. Source ↗
Displacement / massApproximately 20 tonnesPublished configuration baseline; not independently demonstrated at every loading and sea condition. Source ↗
PayloadNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
EnduranceNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
RangeNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
SpeedNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
Sea state / environmentNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗
SensorsPhased-array radar and mission-dependent maritime sensing describedPublished configuration baseline; not independently demonstrated at every loading and sea condition. Source ↗
Communications / controlRemote control and autonomous navigation describedPublished configuration baseline; not independently demonstrated at every loading and sea condition. Source ↗
Launch / deploymentNot established in the reviewed public sources.Public evidence gap. No estimate or neighbouring variant value has been substituted. Source ↗

Documented milestones

  1. Launch reported

    The 716 institute announced the small JARI vessel's launch, with further autonomy testing still required.

    Read the announcement ↗

Publication history

  • — Added in the September 2026 global coverage review, with sources, configuration limits and explicit data gaps.

Suggest a correction to this entry →

Follow the evidence

Source types identify who makes the claim. Programme milestones and supplier statements should be read in context.

  1. China Military reproduction of developer launch statement, 22 August 2019 (opens in a new tab)Government-hosted report of manufacturer statement

Explore the connections

Field guideGlobal

Uncrewed surface vessels & naval drones

Understand surface vessels used for naval observation, survey, mine-countermeasure support and other maritime roles, from small craft to larger experimental ships.

Reviewed 20 Sept 2026Read