China Says It Can Track US Stealth Submarines—Is Naval Warfare About to Change?

Chinese researchers have claimed a significant achievement in tracking the U.S. Navy’s stealthiest attack submarines, a development that could reshape naval warfare strategies.

Led by Li Yuhang of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), the study suggests that submarines moving faster than 20 knots create surface waves detectable by ultra-high-resolution radar.

This phenomenon, called “surface wake,” has been known for years, but it was believed to be too small to track submarines—until now.

Using real-world data from sensors in the South China Sea, a region frequently patrolled by U.S. submarines, Li’s team demonstrated that these subtle waves can be detected with new radar technology.

The implications for U.S. Navy operations are significant, as even submarines moving as slow as two knots could now be exposed, disrupting low-speed stealth missions.

This breakthrough leverages ultra-high-frequency radar in the 6G spectrum, specifically terahertz waves, which can detect surface disturbances as small as a millimeter.

While the technology holds promise, it faces challenges, including the need for specialized equipment and the use of AI to filter out background noise and distinguish submarine movements from natural waves.

Although the U.S. Navy’s technology remains classified, it’s possible similar radar systems, like the AN/APS-154 sensor on the P-8A Poseidon, may already have advanced anti-submarine detection capabilities.