China Develops Deep-Sea Cable Cutter That Can Disrupt Global Communication

Under sea cable — Image for representation purposes only

China has unveiled a powerful deep-sea cable-cutting device capable of severing heavily armored undersea communication and power lines.

The tool, developed by the China Ship Scientific Research Centre (CSSRC) and the State Key Laboratory of Deep-Sea Manned Vehicles, is designed to operate at depths of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet)-twice as deep as existing subsea communication infrastructure.

This compact cutting tool is designed to integrate with China’s advanced crewed and uncrewed submersibles, including the Fendouzhe (Striver) and Haidou series, enhancing the country’s capabilities in deep-sea operations.

The device has been developed for civilian purposes such as seabed mining and salvage operations.

The new tool is specifically built to cut through armored cables, which are strengthened with steel, rudder, and polymer sheaths to protect the 95% of global data transmission that flows through subsea networks.

Unlike traditional cutting tools that struggle against these reinforced layers, this new device is equipped with a six-inch (150 mm) diamond-coated grinding wheel spinning at 1,600 rpm.

This high-speed rotation allows it to shatter steel layers without disturbing the surrounding marine environment.

According to a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese-language journal Mechanical Engineer on February 24, the tool features a titanium alloy shell and oil-compensated seals to withstand extreme pressure at 4,000 meters, where water pressure exceeds 400 atmospheres.

These features ensure the tool remains operational even under prolonged use. The device is powered by a one-kilowatt motor with an 8:1 gear reducer, balancing torque and cutting power while preventing overheating.

Since deep-sea operations often occur in near-zero visibility, the tool is designed to be operated remotely using robotic arms. It incorporates advanced positioning technology to ensure precise cable alignment.

Undersea cables are important in modern communication, transmitting nearly all international internet, phone, and financial data.

These cables are typically unburied in deep waters beyond 2,000 meters, making them vulnerable to interference. This tool could target cables at strategic chokepoints with the ability to function from unmanned platforms without surfacing.

One such location is Guam, which is a key hub in the US military’s second island chain defence strategy. Cutting cables in such areas could severely disrupt global communications in times of geopolitical tension or conflict.

The military research community has been closely monitoring these developments, especially after the mysterious attack on Russia’s Nord Stream pipeline.

China has rapidly advanced its deep-sea infrastructure in recent years, now possessing the world’s largest fleet of crewed and uncrewed submersibles. The device has been successfully tested in ground trials, cutting through 60mm thick armored cables.

References: scmp, interestingengineering

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