Question: Marine lizard is developed by which country?
(a) China
(b) North Korea
(c) Japan
(d) USA
Answer: (a)
Related facts:
- China has successfully tested the world’s first armed amphibious drone boat which could be used in land assault operations and it is capable of forming a combat triad with aerial drones and other drone ships.
- It is built by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group under China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), the drone ship, named Marine Lizard, successfully passed delivery checks and left factory on 8th April, 2019.
Marine Lizard:
- It has maximum operation range of 1,200 kms, and can be remotely controlled via satellites.
- The 12-meter-long Marine Lizard is a trimaran propelled by a diesel-powered hydrojet and can reach a maximum speed of 50 knots while maintaining stealth.
- On approaching land, the amphibious drone ship can release four continuous track units hidden under its belly, and travel at 20 kms an hour on land.
- With about USD 178 billion defence budget, the two million strong Chinese military, the world’s largest, has been focusing on developing a range of new weapons in recent years.
- The Marine Lizard’s payloads include an electro-optical system and a radar system. In the weapon department, it is equipped with two machine guns and a vertical launching system for anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles.
- It can autonomously sail, avoid obstacles and plan routes.
- This amphibious drone is suitable for island assault operations as a swarm of such drone ships could lead an attack following a first wave of artillery and air strikes. The drone boat is also a great choice for coastal defence. The boat can remain dormant on an uninhabited island for up to eight months.
- Guided by China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, the Marine Lizard can cooperate with other battle units in an integrated command system.
Links:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-develops-worlds-first-armed-amphibious-drone-boat-report/articleshow/68886661.cms
https://www.thequint.com/news/world/china-develops-world-s-first-armed-amphibious-drone-boat-report