Unmanned submersible 'Hailong 11000' completes 1st sea test

DAYANG YIHAO - The unmanned submersible "Hailong 11000" completed its first sea test in the western Pacific Ocean Friday.

The submersible entered the 410-meter-deep sea area from the Chinese research vessel Dayang Yihao (Ocean No 1) at 4:45 pm.

Chu Fengyou, chief scientist of Dayang Yihao, said the vehicle is able to dive to a depth of 11,000 meters. It will complete an 11,000-meter-deep sea test in three years, according to the China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association.

The Dayang Yihao left Qingdao, Shandong Province, on March 20, taking scientists on a 45-day scientific expedition. The ship is carrying advanced scientific equipment and unmanned submersibles "Hailong" and "Qianlong."