TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Thunder Tiger Technology (雷虎科技) successfully controlled six SeaShark 680 unmanned vessels from a single command station Friday (Nov. 28), demonstrating advanced swarm combat capabilities for Taiwan's military. The test at Pingtung Dapeng Bay National Sailing Training Base, a naval training facility in southern Taiwan, showcased the vessels' ability to complete tactical formations and dynamic changes in seconds. The milestone advances Taiwan's asymmetric warfare capabilities amid regional security concerns.
The SeaShark 680 vessels maintained 100% link stability in electromagnetic interference environments using British DTC military-grade anti-jamming frequency hopping systems, demonstrating robust communication capabilities. Their low radar cross-section stealth hull design reduces detection chances by enemy forces during maritime operations. The vessels can switch formations, including V, lightning, and line formations, in real-time to adapt to changing tactical situations, Thunder Tiger Technology reported.
The vessels feature precise sensors, robust swarm control technology, and stable communication networks, enabling real-time information exchange and dynamic tactical adjustments during operations. Thunder Tiger Technology emphasized the SeaShark 680 represents a potent swarm operation tool in asymmetric warfare in the Taiwan Strait, the waterway separating Taiwan from China. The successful test demonstrates Taiwan's advancing unmanned vessel swarm combat capabilities for maritime defense applications.
Thunder Tiger Technology plans to accelerate collaboration with National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (國家中山科學研究院), Taiwan's military research agency, and the Ministry of National Defense's military branches. The Ministry of National Defense has initiated a NT$30 billion (around US$955 million) procurement project for 1,350 military unmanned vessels. Thunder Tiger Technology aims to secure the 2026 defense contract. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.4)