A covert sea drone operated by a U.S. startup has captured video of a Chinese warship operating within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, a move that could escalate regional tensions. The 42-second clip, recorded on June 16 by a drone from San Diego-based Seasats, shows a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Type 052D guided-missile destroyer approximately 65 miles off the coast of Luzon Island in the Bashi Channel.
Seasats stated that the vessel was identified by its deck layout, superstructure, crane, and mast, which matched archived imagery. The company was conducting a commercial operation to test the feasibility of autonomous operations in the Taiwan Strait when the encounter occurred. The Lightfish USV, a 12-foot drone capable of operating for months at a time, can communicate coordinates, track weather, signal submarines, and detect smugglers and illegal fishing operations.
This footage is believed to be the first of its kind recorded by a private U.S. firm. "We're able to go out and film and get up close and record all this data off of a Chinese ship," said Seasats CEO Mike Flanigan. The drones are designed to listen for underwater acoustic messages, which are then translated into radio signals transmitted via satellite to operators on shore.
China has not publicly acknowledged the presence of the warship. The Philippines, however, issued a warning, reminding "all parties to avoid actions that would escalate tensions, especially if found trespassing through the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone."
Seasats has reported multiple encounters with Chinese warships in recent years. In May, the company highlighted its ability to track Chinese vessels covertly, a capability that has reportedly earned it millions in defense contracts. During one such operation, its vessels encountered several Chinese warships within Taiwan's exclusive economic zone, none of which were transmitting identification signals via the Automatic Identification System.
"The Lightfish was able to track these vessels and capture images confirming their type and origin," the company stated at the time, referring to an earlier operation in the Taiwan Strait, a contested waterway between Taiwan and mainland China.
Seasats emphasizes the utility of its drones for reconnaissance, particularly their ability to operate covertly and extend surveillance reach beyond the capabilities of shore-based radar systems. "In this era of ubiquitous satellites and sensors, it may surprise some that a ship can hide in the ocean environment," said Declan Kerwin, chief of staff at Seasats. "That's why these long-range autonomous vessels are so compelling. They can provide maritime awareness where shore-based radars can't reach."
The company has secured $40 million in investment capital and $100 million in government contracts to develop its autonomous vessel technology.