China's manned deep-sea submersible, Jiaolong, has made significant strides in operational capabilities following a comprehensive technological upgrade. This advancement marks a new era in oceanography, enabling the submersible to establish fresh records for diving frequency and efficiency during its recent sea trials.

From February 27 to March 25, the upgraded Jiaolong completed an impressive total of 14 dives within a succinct 10-day operational window. Notably, this endeavor included a remarkable achievement of four separate missions that executed two dives per day, showcasing the enhanced operational capacity of the submersible.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reported that the operational trials also featured nine continuous dives conducted by a team comprising one pilot and two scientists, reflecting Jiaolong's readiness for more complex mission profiles.

This latest technological enhancement began in November of the previous year, focusing on vital components such as the homemade propulsion system and battery packs. The newly upgraded elements include cutting-edge 7000-meter-rated oil-immersed lithium batteries, which provide a superior energy density.

Additionally, the submersible now boasts low-noise direct-drive direct current thrusters that significantly improve propulsion efficiency, alongside a deep-sea hydraulic buoyancy control system and broadened emergency hydraulic interfaces.

Successful trials at depths of 3,000 meters demonstrated the reliability and efficiency of these upgrades, marking a pivotal progression in Jiaolong's energy management and the localization of essential technologies for deep-sea research.

Looking ahead, following its recent enhancements, Jiaolong is poised to undertake more than 80 dives during the year 2025, further solidifying China's capabilities in deep-sea exploration and research.