North Korea says it tested new AI-guided torpedo in underwater weapons trial

North Korea conducted an underwater test of a new torpedo weapon system on Thursday to verify technological upgrades, state news agency KCNA reported on Saturday, describing the test as a success and a significant step in the country’s naval development.

The test verified propulsion technology developed through more than 180 tests over the past five years, KCNA said, adding that artificial intelligence was used for target detection and guidance in the new high-speed precision-guided torpedo. The agency said the test showed improvements in propulsion efficiency and the performance of the torpedo’s rocket propulsion system.

The trial is the latest in a run of North Korean weapons launches and comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, as both Koreas race to develop weapons capable of evading missile defences. It followed Pyongyang’s announcement that it had tested two types of submarine-launched strategic cruise missiles on Wednesday to verify its navy’s mission capabilities and the reliability of its war deterrent.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung oversaw the country’s first test-firing of a domestically developed hypersonic missile last week, a manoeuvrable hypersonic glide vehicle that can change course during flight. Seoul’s test came days after North Korea said its leader, Kim Jong-un, had overseen a test of an intermediate-range hypersonic missile.

Sources: South China Morning Post (https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3371218/north-korea-says-it-tested-new-torpedo-ai-tech), citing KCNA.