China Creates Deep-Sea Angle Grinder to Cut Armored Marine Internet Cables

In recent months, there have been numerous reports of underwater communications cables being damaged, disrupting internet service in many countries. Since 95% of modern communications run along the seabed, their vulnerability has raised concerns about the possibility of further serious communications problems. Adding to the alarm, Chinese scientists have announced the creation of an underwater cutter capable of slicing through armoured cables at depths of up to 4km.

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The China Sea Science Research Center (CSSRC) and its affiliated State Key Laboratory of Deep-Sea Manned Vehicles have developed a device that can cut armored cables coated with steel, rubber and polymer sheaths, according to sources. The development was described in a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese journal Mechanical Engineer.

The device is capable of operating at an external pressure of 400 atmospheres, which required solving a whole range of technical problems. Modern underwater cable communications run at a depth of up to 2 km, and the device created in China is capable of descending and operating at twice that depth. However, scientists call the development a tool for developing marine resources and conducting rescue operations, only hinting at its possible use for sabotage of underwater communications.

This is probably the first time that any country has openly admitted to creating such a tool. Pressure on China is growing, and the Chinese authorities are perhaps thus making it clear that it is better not to bring the situation to an open confrontation.

The underwater cutter is a 150 mm diamond disk rotating at 1600 rpm. The device is equipped with an orientation and stabilization system. It can be attached to both deep-sea manned vehicles and unmanned platforms. The cutter is driven by a 1 kW electric motor with an 8:1 gearbox, providing a torque of 6 N m. The heat dissipation system allows the device to operate for a long time without stopping, although the risk of overheating, according to the developers, still remains.

During the experiment, the cutter successfully cut a 60-mm armored cable. The device is capable of operating in zero visibility conditions, covering large distances without reaching the surface. China does not pose a direct threat to anyone, but this development makes us take its ability to complicate life for unfriendly countries more seriously.