China launches unmanned carrier capable of launching dozens of drones

China has launched the world's first crewless drone carrier that uses artificial intelligence to navigate autonomously in open water.

Beijing has officially described it as a maritime research tool, but some experts have said the ship has the potential to be used as a military vessel, according to Business Insider.

The autonomous ship, the Zhu Hai Yun is around 290 feet long, 45 feet wide, and 20 feet deep and can carry dozens of air, sea, and submersible drones equipped with different observation instruments, according to the Chinese Shipbuilding Corporation, Huangpu Wenchong.

It describes the vessel as "epoch-making" and the "world's first intelligent unmanned system mother ship".