February 13, 2025: China has reportedly developed a drone that can operate under water, on the surface and in the air. Propulsion is via a propeller in the rear of the drone. The Chinese drone uses wings that can automatically fold into the drone body when not needed. The drone operations control system incorporates a lot of Artificial Intelligence, or AI technology, and this drone technology can be adapted for use in other weapons like torpedoes, guided bombs, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

For submarines this drone can be launched under water. The torpedo tubes are not needed because the drone is small enough to be launched from other portions of a conventional or nuclear submarine. The drone carries out its mission then lands on the water, submerges and returns to the sub that launched it. On return the drone provides the submarine commander with detailed video, weather and audio of what is happening on the surface.