The underwater helicopter is developed by the marine science faculty of Zhejiang University with other universities and institutes. [Photo/zhoushan.cn]

An underwater helicopter developed by Zhejiang University with other universities and institutes recently received approval after passing the sea trial inspection, which took place in the South China Sea from Aug 27 to Sept 3.

During the sea trial, the submerged depth of the underwater helicopter exceeded 1,000 meters for the first time. The acceptance panel also said that they believe that the craft boats novel design and promising application prospects.

The concept of an underwater helicopter was proposed by professors Chen Ying and Huang Haocai of ZJU, as well as their other colleagues.

"We were inspired by the aerial helicopter and the underwater helicopter is expected to improve underwater vehicles' flexible performance and enrich their functions," said Huang.

Such a craft can stay at the bottom of the sea to work for long periods. It also has the functions of free landing and taking off, spot hover, as well as all-round swerving that regular autonomous underwater vehicles do not possess.

Huang noted that the newly-developed underwater vehicles can be used for seabed resource exploration, seabed pipeline monitoring and maintenance, submarine rescue, maritime archaeology, as well as other functions.

The underwater helicopter project was launched in 2017 on the Zhoushan campus of ZJU. The project team will work with East China Sea Laboratory and local companies to further improve the craft's performance, as well as explore more applications.