Tuesday, November 3, 2009
LPD threat
The "Kunlunshan" ship with a hull number of 998 is an amphibious dock landing ship. With a total length of 210 m, a maximal width of 28 m and a normal displacement of 18,500 tons, it is the surface combat ship with the biggest tonnage in China at present. The service of this ship symbolizes the great enhancement of the PLA Navy in projecting amphibious combat strength to the medium and long distance sea areas. Hundreds of marines from the marine corps of the PLA Navy will board on this ship in this maritime parade.
The new-type missile speedboat
A new-type missile speedboat that is equipped with advanced missile and anti-electromagnetic interference system has evoked the extensive concerns of domestic and foreign military experts since its début in 2004. Although small in size, it is characterized in fast speed, strong firepower and excellent stealth capability. It has become a trump card in resisting against the enemy's threat in coastal waters.
The new-type home-made submarine
Chinese nuclear submarine will be a highlight in the maritime parade. A new-type home-made submarine formation will be on display besides the nuclear submarine in this parade. Relevant military experts said that the underwater noise of the new-type submarine was greatly reduced for the adoption of a multiple of advanced designs.
The "Lanzhou" missile destroyer
Among the new generation of home-made destroyers attending the maritime parade, the "Lanzhou" missile destroyer with a hull number of 170 is the latest one in China. The construction of the destroyer started at the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard in August 2001. It was launched in April 2003, left the shipyard in August 2005 and enlisted in the array of the PLA Navy formally in September 2005.
Heavy-lift helicopters: Z-10 ??? or Z-14???

his is the Google translation to Xinhui's Post # 33, above: CDF
Heavy-lift helicopters: the next battlefield aerial "Hercules"
China's military network Published: 2009-05-11 09:47:44
Loaded with tanks
Air hovering
Hoisting bulldozers
Editor's Note
May 12, 2009, the first anniversary of earthquake in Wenchuan. Learn from its mistakes, recalled a year ago Wenchuan earthquake relief operation, I believe that many people clearly remember such a tense scene: Tang Shan barrier lake water in an emergency, and temporary loan from Russia two meters -26 heavy helicopter significant skill at the time of distress , lifting bulldozers, excavators, forklifts and other equipment more than 60 large dams that, in order to eliminate the barrier lake crisis Tangjiahe Hill made a contribution. For a time, heavy-lift helicopters -26 meters become the eyes of the "stars" of equipment, won the "giant" world.
A year later, heavy-lift helicopters has become the focus of attention again. Not long ago, the Russian News Agency said: China and Russia are to discuss matters relating to the joint development of heavy-lift helicopters. To this end, the reporter to connect the first time researcher at the Institute of the General Staff Zhang and the army, people's attention on the hot topics of heavy-lift helicopters to carry out an all-round reading.
Dialogue of experts: and Zhang, a researcher at the Institute of the General Staff Headquarters army, lieutenant colonel, the Chinese member of popular science writers, popular science writer, a member of the military defense, Army Aviation has long been engaged in the protection of field equipment and tactical and technical research, with a "combat use of Army Aviation Study "," the helicopter in modern warfare "and" Vertical Limit - Contemporary纵谈military helicopters "and other monographs.
Q: Wenchuan earthquake in the dawn of the first anniversary, it will look once again into the heavy-lift helicopters -26 meters. Can you briefly explain to readers the definition of heavy-lift helicopters it?
A: At present, the helicopter in accordance with the standards of our national military usually divided into: Small, light, medium, large and heavy-duty 5 types. Maximum take-off weight of a small helicopter in the following two tons, a maximum takeoff weight of light helicopters in the 2-4 tons maximum take-off weight of medium-sized helicopter in the 4-10 tons maximum take-off weight of large helicopters in the 10-20 tons, the largest heavy-lift helicopters to take off more than 20 tons of weight.
Refers to the so-called heavy-lift helicopters to take off weight of more than 20 tons of helicopter. Because the helicopter is mainly used for heavy transport, has also been said that heavy transport helicopters. A typical heavy transport helicopter was -26 meters in Russia, it is the heavy transport helicopter in the "Big Brother."
Q: as a heavy-lift helicopters in the "Big Brother", -26 m in the end how much "effort"?
A: -26 meters in the former Soviet Union Design Bureau Miri heavy transport helicopter developed by NATO to its nickname called "halo", which is the world's largest transport helicopter load.
At present, the -26 m apart from the helicopter in service in Russia, the CIS is also used in other countries. Malaysia, Peru, South Korea, India and other countries to order the -26 meters, the aircraft has also been chosen the United Nations peacekeeping force.
-26 Meters is a monster, and its captain 40.03 meters, 8.15 meters height, tail rotor diameter 7.61 meters, composed by the eight blades. Design in the world single-rotor helicopter, its rotor blades is the largest. We know that the helicopter lift from the blades have a high-speed rotation, which is that it can "force out million already," one of the key device.
-26 M in the cargo hold at the rear of the fuselage, can be loaded with more than 20 tons of the total weight of the tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, armored reconnaissance vehicle, such as baggage; can accommodate 80 fully armed soldiers, 60 stretchers and placed 3 health care workers, which is equivalent to the famous C-130 "Hercules" transport plane load capacity of the air is worthy of the name "Hercules."
Q: -26 m so "divine power", its also extremely strong momentum, right?
A: this is the case. It is equipped with 2 Turboshaft each Turboshaft 8500 kilowatts of power, which is equivalent to the general power万吨轮host vessel, we can see the power of the strong. At present, the world has such a strong country Aeroengine only Russian.
Engine power as a result of -26 m, and take-off weight, and has created a world record number of flights. February 3, 1982, a wave in the Soviet Union莫斯科夫纳airports, -26 m鲁巴夫by the driver,特洛夫, Al non-Do not Love and karaoke plus, respectively, driving, flying 10 tons of load to 6500 meters high , to fly 15 tons of load to 5600 meters high, 20 tons of load to fly to more than 4.6 thousand meters high, 25 tons of load to fly to more than 4.1 thousand meters high, have created the helicopter to climb a high load of world records. Especially non-pilots Al Love driving -26 m to 2,000 m high altitude climbing, the load as high as more than 50 tons, far exceeding the design of the aircraft maximum take-off weight.
Q: Apart from -26 meters, the world heavy-lift helicopters what family members?
A: At present, the heavy-lift helicopters are not the family, the world produced a total of more than 2000 aircraft, including CH-47 "Chinook" helicopter production of the largest number of more than 1000. As of now, m -26 heavy helicopters, only the production of 300.
The number from the equipment point of view, the world is equipped with the largest number of light helicopters, followed by medium-sized helicopters, heavy-lift helicopters in the helicopter at least a member of the family. But it is a great unique role in the transport helicopters play an important role in, the family is the backbone of transport helicopters.
Today, development and production of heavy-duty transport helicopter is primarily the United States and Russia, and its model is: CH-47 "Chinook", CH-53 "Sea Stallion", V-22 "Osprey", m -6 "hook" -10 m "Huck" and so on.
Q: heavy-lift helicopters in the wars and in non-military areas which play a major role?
A: The heavy-lift helicopters has good flight performance and enormous capacity, in a wide range of military applications. Modern battlefield, it is not only used for the transport of all types of military equipment, weapons and ammunition, carrying various types of tanks, armored, transport of medium-range missiles, anti-chemical air disinfection units, emergency strategies, such as airborne and air-landing; also be used in hospital operations and operating room, emergency ambulance to the wounded; also used electronic jamming, electronic countermeasures, such as for.
The Gulf War, the U.S. 101st air assault division deployed 40 CH-47 "Chinook" heavy helicopters and 60 UH-60 "Black Hawk" transport helicopter, a code-named "Cobra" of the motor action, quickly 2 mobile operators and a large number of weapons and ammunition and carrying supplies to Iraq 80 kilometers in depth, and opened up a surface area of 150 square kilometers of forward operating base, cut off hundreds of thousands of Iraqi troops south of the escape route.
Second Chechen War, mobilized m -26 heavy helicopters frequently, often on the battlefield so low over the flight, the night also voted to send troops, equipment transportation and protection. From September 23, 1999 to March 31, 2000, -26 m on the helicopter flight reached an average of 6 hours, for a large number of Russian military operations, equipment, and materials delivery, quick drive down a great deal of strength. In the rescue helicopter made an emergency landing, the meter is -26 Shenwei Daxian, will not be able to repair in situ of the helicopter hanging up quickly by air to the rear-area support bases repair, damage to the helicopter so that greatly shorten repair time.
Similarly, heavy-lift helicopters, as in non-military areas play a decisive role, to be completed by lifting a large object, forest fire prevention, pipeline and lifted the erection, installation of transmission lines, medical first aid, humanitarian relief, refugee evacuation missions. In the face of major natural disasters, heavy-lift helicopters are doing so well.
The Soviet Union in 1986 the Chernobyl nuclear accident, -26 m on the sides of heavy helicopters. At that time, the Soviet Union dispatched more than -26 m heavy-lift helicopters from the air delivery of the boron dilution of the radioactive dust will be the overall nuclear power plant canopy.
December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster, countries involved in disaster relief for 77 military helicopters, there are nine weight of 20 tons maximum take-off of the CH-47 "Chinook" helicopters, 4 maximum take-off weight of 30 tons of the MH-53 " Dragon "heavy-lift helicopters.
In the United States in August 2005 in New Orleans "Katrina" hurricane disaster, the U.S. military dispatched 372 helicopters involved in relief, including a large number of CH-47 "Chinook" heavy-duty helicopters, the flight just a week, thousands of sorties, dropping tens of thousands of relief supplies, rescued more than 30,000.
Q: will the next generation heavy-lift helicopters, what direction?
Answer: From the development trend, a number of military power in the world pay more attention to the speed of transport helicopters and effective load. Related technologies in order to break through the bottleneck, the world aviation experts brains.
At present the world is a more mature heavy rotary-wing aircraft the United States, which both helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft of the advantages of technology is considered a revolutionary change in the helicopter. The United States has a joint heavy rotary-wing aircraft after 2020 as one of the priorities of the three major equipment.
According to foreign reports, Russia plans to invite, including China, multinational cooperation in the development and production of m -46 heavy transport helicopters.
The EU shares the view that the heavy-lift helicopters are the core of the new rapid-response component. May 2004, the European helicopter companies have begun research on heavy-duty helicopter program, known as "heavy-duty transport helicopter" (HTH), plans to launch in 2020. Not long ago, France and Germany announced the joint development of a new generation of heavy transport helicopters, 4-5 years is expected to fill the U.S. CH-53 or the European NH-90 and A-400M military transport plane of the blank between.
Q: At present, China's heavy-lift helicopters to the development of a step which the development of several technology related?
A: Since the founding of new China, with the rapid development of aviation technology, China's helicopter industry has made brilliant achievements, has reached the top level of the developing countries. However, compared with developed countries in the world, we are still technically in a number of key there is a clear gap.
Development of the development of heavy transport helicopter, it is necessary to break through several technical clearance following: First, advanced technology rotor systems, helicopter rotor is a key component as well as helicopters, "force pulling million jin" key. At present, China must first master the advanced technology of the rotor system, designed and manufactured in their own achieve a breakthrough; II is an advanced engine and transmission technology, the current engine and transmission in China is relatively backward technology, the core component of the needs of independent innovation; Third, advanced the overall technology, we are now in the overall layout of the helicopter, and optimize the design, considering aerodynamic, reliability, comfort, etc., with the world advanced level is not small; IV is an advanced process technology, the current configuration in the new China , new materials, new technology and industrial technology, such as vibration noise to be further improved.
At present, we should seize the United States, Russia and the European plans to develop a new generation of heavy-duty helicopters, the opportunity to do a good job in the top-level planning, the full argument - is the introduction of foreign existing models, or with foreign countries to jointly develop a new generation of heavy-duty transport helicopter, or on its own independent research, to find out the direction for the best solution to China's national conditions and technical routes.
Load as the world's largest helicopter, -26 m maximum load of 20 tons, which is equivalent to the famous C-130 "Hercules" transport aircraft load capacity.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Yun-8 C-type
http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2009/11/more-y-8c-ordered-by-plaaf.html
October 27, 2009
In recent days, a period of 52 days of the Air Force transport plane C-8 modified the training ground officially kicked off.
Modifications to participate in the training ground troops are shipped eight new aircraft users, trainees mostly new recruits, training, how effective will have a direct bearing on the delivery of the unit to maintain the effectiveness of the use. Therefore, the higher authorities and corporate leaders attach great importance to the training, has organized a special meeting to study the deployment of related matters. Marketing for the new students are more weak technological base, a larger aircraft technical status changes, etc., to formulate a scientific plan, revised teaching materials, carefully selected trainers, conducted a well-prepared and well arranged.
The training hours of theoretical training, aircraft and crew with a teaching internship in three stages.
运八C型机地勤改装培训拉开帷幕
近日,为期52天的空军运八C型机地勤改装培训正式拉开帷幕。
参加地勤改装培训的部队是运八飞机的新用户,参训人员大部分为新学员,培训效果如何将直接影响飞机交付部队后的使用维护效能。因此,上级机关和公司领 导对此次培训十分重视,多次组织召开专题会议,研究部署相关事宜。市场部针对新学员较多、技术基础薄弱、飞机技术状态更改较大等情况,制定科学计划,重新 修订教材,精心挑选教员,进行了充分准备和周密安排。
此次培训分理论培训、机上实习和机务带教三个阶段进行。
two-year compulsory service.
(Source: Xinhua) 2009-11-02
BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's armed forces started its annual nationwide recruitment on Sunday, and college graduates are preferred candidates for the People's Liberation Army (PLA) 's two-year compulsory service.
According to a mandate jointly issued by the State Council and the Central Military Commission, the recruitment this year has new favored targets: graduates who finished their four-year or three year college studies in June.
The PLA and other branches of the country's armed forces used to rely heavily on senior high schools to supplement their new recruits. The new strategy has been expected to improve the military structure in terms of the education level for a better performance in dealing with modern warfare.
Recruiting offices in Beijing and Shanghai require applicants to have a senior high school degree or above.
The PLA usually recruits men aged 18 to 20 and women aged 18 or19, but the age limit this year has been raised to 24 for those with bachelor degrees.
Most of college students in China take part in month-long military trainings on campus or in military bases, usually in their first month of campus life.
China's State Council revised the government's recruitment regulations in September 2001 to enlist college students for the first time in a pilot scheme. More than 2,000 students were recruited that year.
china threat in to space
(Source: Xinhua) 2009-11-02
BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China will develop an air force with integrated capabilities for both offensive and defensive operations in space as well as in air, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Commander Xu Qiliang said Sunday.
Calling militarization in the space and in air "a threat to the mankind," Xu said China must develop a strong force in the two arenas in order to face challenges of that threat.
"Only power could protect peace," the 59-year-old air force commander said in an interview with Xinhua, 10 days ahead of 60th anniversary of the founding of the PLA air force.
Superiority in space and in air would mean, to a certain extent, superiority over the land and the oceans, Xu said.
"As the air force of a peace-loving country, we must forge our swords and shields in order to protect peace," he said.
According to Xu, not only major air force powers in the world were currently eyeing space and air superiority, some developing countries were also changing their military strategies to gain upper ground in the two arenas.
A country without adequate power would have no say when faced with challenges posed by the militarization in the space and air, he said.
The PLA air force would improve its detection and early warning, air striking, anti-missile air defense, strategic delivery capabilities in order to effectively protect China's interests and help maintain regional and world peace, Xu said.
Xu meanwhile stressed that the PLA air force was peace-oriented.
"The Chinese people is a peace-loving people, and China is a responsible developing country which upholds a national defense policy that is defensive in nature," he said.
A powerful PLA air force would protect China's sovereignty, safety and territorial integrity, and would play a major part in maintaining regional stability and world peace, he said.
"The PLA air force will pose no threat to any other country," Xu said.
This year marks the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Its naval force was founded on April 23, 1949, and its air force on Nov. 11 that year.
Previous report said the PLA air force would put its most advanced warplanes on display in the suburbs of Beijing in November, to mark its 60th founding anniversary.
All the aircraft to be exhibited, including Kongjing-2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) aircraft, J-11 fighters,H-6 bomber jets, and HQ-9 surface-to-air missiles, were made by China.
Most of them were already included in the aircraft fly past during the National Day military parade on Oct. 1 this year in Beijing.
In addition to aircraft display, an international military forum themed "harmonious skies" would also be held in Beijing later this month.
More than 300 senior air force officers from China and more than 30 other countries are expected to attend the forum to mark the PLA air force's 60th anniversary
"The PLA air force will continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation with its foreign counterparts on an opener, more transparent, confident and practical basis," said Xu Qiliang.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
惊喜:中国LFC-16战斗机首飞成功!
惊喜:中国LFC-16战斗机首飞成功! |
送交者: 三好学生 2009年10月29日20:42:47 于 [世界军事论坛] 发送悄悄话 |
2004年珠海航展结束后,一些网上的统计得出了一个出人意料的事实:最吸引网友眼球的即不是叱咤蓝天的SU-27战斗机,也不是漂亮轻巧的L-15高级教练机,而是贵航展台上外观怪异的LFC-16高敏捷性战斗机模型。 LFC-16:全球机动性第一的战斗机 上届航展引起广大爱好者及专业人士注意的侧板鸭式布局战斗机CY-1(超翼一型),在今次航展以LFC-16的名字再度亮相。 值得注意的是这种飞机采用了中国人所独创的侧板鸭式气动布局、随动侧鳍等专利技术;如该机采用的一系列新颖的气动技术,包括了机身侧板+鸭式气动布 局、随动侧鳍、可控涡流等。通过应用这些技术,可提高飞机的操纵性和稳定性,甚至使其达到螺旋桨飞机的水平,同时机动性也将大大提高。据称,该机如果研制 成功,将可能成为机动性全球第一的战斗机。另外研制这架飞机的费用来自民间风险投资资金,可以说开创了中国战斗机研制历史上的先河。 LFC-16采用的机身侧板相当独特,其位置略低于鸭翼平面,宽度很大。估计其作用是在大仰角下产生强大涡流,与鸭翼涡流耦合,在机翼上诱导出高升 力。有助于改善飞机的起降性能和盘旋能力。飞机操纵性和稳定性的改善,主要依赖对涡流的主动控制和随动侧鳍的偏转配合,使得飞机可以在没有采用电传操纵及 推力矢量控制技术的情况下,仍能保持大迎角稳定性和较好的操纵性。也许LFC-16真正有价值的还是它秘而不宣的涡流控制技术。这将对未来新型战机格斗能 力的提升具有重要意义。
LFC-16技术数据: 机长:14.08米 翼展:8.32米 机高:5.03米 发动机推力:7000kg 正常起飞重量:8500kg 起飞滑跑距离:300-400米 着陆滑跑距离:400-500米 最大速度:M1.6-1.8 最大瞬时盘旋角度:30度/秒 最大外挂重量:3000kg |
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Gulf of Aden
Chinese new naval flotilla sets sail for Gulf of Aden while merchant vessel still held by pirates |
www.chinaview.cn |
Family members wave good-bye to their loved ones of the fourth Chinese naval flotilla that was deployed to the Gulf of Aden and waters off the coast of Somalia to protect merchant vessels against rampant pirates in Zhejiang October 30, 2009. (Xinhua Photo) |
ZHOUSHAN, Zhejiang Province, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- A new Chinese naval flotilla was deployed to the Gulf of Aden and waters off the coast of Somalia on Friday to protect merchant vessels against rampant pirates that still hold a Chinese ship for ransom.
The flotilla of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has been the fourth task force of its kind that China has sent to the region since the end of last year.
Missile frigates FFG-525 Ma'anshan and FFG-526 Wenzhou will relieve the FFG-529 Zhoushan and FFG-530 Xuzhou from the PLA Navy's third flotilla which have patrolled the area since June.
The new warships will join Qiandaohu, a supply ship, which has been on duty in the region for about three months. The fourth flotilla will have a crew of more than 700, including a special force unit and two ship-borne helicopters.
They would actively take part in international humanitarian rescue missions, said Liu Xiaojiang, the Navy's political commissar.
Crew members line on board before they leave for the Gulf of Aden and waters off the coast of Somalia to protect merchant vessels against rampant pirates as the fourth Chinese naval flotilla on Somali mission from Zhejiang, October 30, 2009. (Xinhua Photo) |
A Chinese coal-carrying vessel "De Xin Hai" with 25 crew members on board was kidnapped by pirates about 1,000 sea miles away from the patrolling area of Chinese warships in the Indian Ocean.
So far all the 25 crew members have been identified as Chinese citizens by the shipping company they worked for. The Ministry of Transport is working on the release of the ship.
It is not immediately known whether the new naval task force will bear a rescue mission for "De Xin Hai", but the two Chinese frigates currently patrolling the area have intensified the frequency of surveillance by shipborne helicopters, skiffs and the special force unit for merchant vessels passing by.
China made an unprecedented move by sending three warships to the Gulf on Dec. 26 last year in the first overseas escort mission for merchant vessels.
The PLA Navy warships have escorted hundreds of domestic and foreign vessels since the first flotilla arrived in the region.
The fourth Chinese naval flotilla leaves for the Gulf of Aden and waters off the coast of Somalia to protect merchant vessels against rampant pirates from Zhejiang, October 30, 2009. (Xinhua Photo) |
Sunday, October 25, 2009
New-type submarine patrols in deep sea
No.330 submarine of a submarine flotilla of the East China Sea Fleet (ECSF) of the PLA Navy frequented the vast territorial seas in recent years. It has successfully accomplished dozens of major tasks such as equipment acceptance, test and long voyage and is dubbed as a “pioneer” of the new-type submarine of the PLA Navy.
No.330 submarine is a new generation submarine independently developed and produced by China. And it has such advantages as low noise, long underwater sailing time and advanced power as well as weapon and equipment system.
The reporters experienced a maritime exercise in a sea area not long ago. New-type submarine combat group with No.330 submarine as the leader concealed, broke through the blockade of the destroyer formation and anti-submarine military strength in the air and entered the attack position by adopting new combat method. “Direction and speed of the target are ascertained, a type of torpedo in 3# pipe gets ready to release!” As soon as the order of the captain was released, the torpedo left the pipe. Several minutes later, the torpedo hit the target accurately. This exercise symbolized that a new generation submarine of the PLA Navy has generated battle effectiveness.
By Qian Xiaohu and Fang Lihua
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
China threat UAVs and UCAVs
Chinese researchers break through the mysteries of UAVs and UCAVs
06:45 GMT, October 14, 2009 defpro.com | Larry Dickerson, senior unmanned systems analyst for Forecast International, recently stated that the international demand for unmanned aircraft is rapidly growing, with the United States continuing to be the key driver of this trend. According to Dickerson, U.S.-based companies will account for more than 60 per cent of the market's value. However, western European countries and Israel are keeping up with the pace and spawning domestic development of such systems, which in some cases could already achieve more or less significant export successes (particularly Israel) with their industrial solutions. With respect to the obvious boom of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development and export programmes in western countries, China, as much as Russia, still lag somewhat behind.Catching up with world-leading standards
Nevertheless, the gap is quickly closing as the military’s requirement for state-of-the-art reconnaissance UAVs is becoming increasingly important in both countries. However, the activities are principally still focused on analysing (and often enough copying) already existing and fielded systems, such as the United States’ Global Hawk, Predator and Reaper as well as Israel’s Harpy and Heron. Completely domestic and unprecedented solutions emerge in only very few cases, of which many are too ambitious to make it into series production, let alone introduction into service.
In the case of China, the effort to increasingly use unmanned systems, as well as the capability to domestically develop and produce such aircraft, is publicly and proudly demonstrated, as could recently be seen on the occasion of the 60th anniversary celebration of the People's Republic of China. A total of ten short- and mid-range tactical reconnaissance UAVs mounted on their launching rail on the back of a truck, took part in the National Day parade (see http://www.defpro.com/news/details/10219/). “The ten UAVs of three different models have been [provided] to the PLA's special forces to carry out various reconnaissance missions,” Wang Baorong, captain of the UAV formation, told the state-run Xinhua press agency on that occasion.
According to the assessment of Professor Tan Kaijia, a weaponry expert with the PLA's National Defense University, this latest display shows that “China has made substantial progress in intelligent control systems, precise measuring-controlling systems and computer information processing for military uses.” Even more far-reaching concepts, such as the “Dark Sword” or the “Xianglong”, prove this assessment to be true, as the focus and the development is quickly going beyond small propeller-driven tactical UAVs towards high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) UAVs and unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV). The recent spotting of two probable HALE UAVs in front of their hangars at a Chinese air base suggests that such a system is already (near-to) operational.
Still many challenges ahead
However, as Andrei Chang, a Chinese military analyst with the Kanwa Information Centre in Toronto emphasised, it still is puzzling for what reason “the plethora of UAV models on display at Zhuhai do not go into production.” China is having difficulty mastering the technical complexity of operating UAVs in real time, he recently told Defence News. Chang suggests that many of the companies and institutions do not have an actual prototype and are simply looking for a foreign investor for their concept.
In an interview in early 2007 published by sina.com.cn, Tu Jida, chief designer of the Aviation Industries of China (AVIC), said that UCAVs are still at an early development stage in China and current efforts may lead to a successful aircraft system in approximately ten years. He further emphasised that for any such effort, China will be on its own and will have to “rely on its own strength and self-reliance.” The interview also left the impression that China is still working on the development of more secure and resistant control and communication links for the operation of UAVs to prevent enemies from interfering with the control of UAVs and the transmission of reconnaissance information.
Although the extension of China’s military satellite network allows the use of HALE UAVs over long ranges and in operations abroad, China is fully aware of dangers and the importance of satellite communications in modern UAVs. “Without military satellites, the commanders sitting in the United States could not operate their Predator UAVs, which are thousands of miles away on the other side of the globe,” Prof. Chen Hong of the Chinese Air Force's Command College correctly observed. Further statements published by Xinhua (see http://www.defpro.com/news/details/10187/) acknowledge that China’s push in all fields of defence technology proves that the country is prepared to show strength in the air as well as in space and will make sure its networks will be working when their antagonists’ resources are down.
Major systems and concepts
Apart from the “Harpy” UAV sold to China by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in 1994, China has indigenously developed and manufactured a number of unmanned systems during the past 30 to 40 years, often based on western – primarily US-built – UAV and UCAV concepts. A row of transformations of formerly manned aircraft, such as the Ba-5 (based on the J-5, a MiG-17 copy) and the Jian-7 (based on the MiG-21), for use as target drones, as well as the development of smaller target drones such as the Ba-2, Ba-9 (many more types have been produced), provided China with enough experience to develop remotely controlled and later pre-programmed and autonomously flying systems.
China also has a number of man-portable and -launchable mini-UAVs (such as the ASN-15), which are generally propeller-driven models for short-range tactical reconnaissance of ground troops. The following list of systems focuses on larger reconnaissance and combat concepts and – not least due to the lack of reliable information – does not claim to be complete (for instance, you may miss the formerly important ASN-104/105 and ChangKong-1 or a newer concept called “Combat Eagle”, which strongly recalls the X-45 and nEUROn UCAVs). However, it offers a condensed overview on past, present and future Chinese UAV and UCAV concepts, as well as on the often-foreign technological sources.
Reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
• WuZhen-5 (also ChangHong-1)
The WZ-5, in particular, which has been developed on the basis of the U.S. AQM-34N Firebee, will have provided China with the required technical background to take the next step in UAV technology development. After a number of these jet-powered reconnaissance UAVs had been shot down by the PLA in the 1960s, and at least one could be recovered for reverse-engineering, the Beijing Institute of Aeronautics (BIA; now Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, BUAA) began the development of a reconnaissance UAV based on the AQM-34N. The concept, consisting of the airframe, the optical camera sensor-suite, the turbojet engine and the ground station, resulted in two prototypes completed by 1972 and two in 1976. After achieving design certification in 1978, nine such systems were fielded by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) as of 1981.
After having been successfully used for reconnaissance missions in the 1980s, the BUAA is believed to have developed an improved version, designated WZ-5A, which provided greater accuracy due to a GPS and inertial navigation system. The WZ-5 was air-launched at altitudes between 4,000 and 5,000 metres and would then climb to its operational altitude of 17,500 metres, where it may fly at up to 800km/h. It was originally launched by a modified Tu-4 Bull bomber, and later by the Y-8E (An-12 Cub copy) turboprop transport aircraft. Due to its lack of a real-time data link, its endurance of merely 3 hours and its limitation to day-time optical reconnaissance, the system can no longer keep up anymore with modern solutions. Without a real-time link and control, it must stay on its pre-programmed flight path, disregarding changing tactical situations or enemy air-defences.
• Xianglong (“Sour Dragon”, Chengdu)
As one of the more recent concepts, the “Xianglong” of the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was first unveiled at the 2006 Zhuhai air show. Its dimensions, jet engine and intake arrangement and wing shape very much recall the US RQ-4 Global Hawk and suggest that this UAV will also be used for high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) reconnaissance missions. In fact, it is reported to fly at altitudes of up to 18,000 metres (approx. 59,000 ft), which is slightly less than the ceiling of the Global Hawk. According to unnamed sources, the aircraft already completed high-speed taxiing tests in late 2008 and was scheduled to have its maiden flight in early 2009.
The intake and engine, located on top of the fuselage at the rear between the V-shaped tail wings, are much smaller than those of the Global Hawk. However, according to Chinese media reports, it is believed to fly slightly faster than the RQ-4, reaching speeds of about 750km/h and ranges up to 7.000 kilometres. With a reported take-off weight of 7,500kg and a mission payload of 650kg, it is lighter than the RQ-4 and can carry less weight (RQ-4B max. weight: 14.640kg; payload: 1.360kg). Due to its comparably limited range, it is supposed to exclusively operate in the Asia and Pacific region.
• WuZhen-2000 (also WZ-9, Guizhou Aviation Industry Group)
Just as the Xianglong, the WZ-2000’s design seems to have been taken from the U.S. Global Hawk, with V-shaped tail wings and a single WS-11 turbofan on top of the rear fuselage. However, the WZ-2000 is smaller (length 7.5m, wingspan 9.8m) and has slightly aft swept wings, as well as obvious radar cross-section reduction features, including a flat bottom surface. Being an older – but nevertheless stealthy – reconnaissance UAV concept (1999) than the Xianglong, the WZ-2000 is reported to having accomplished its maiden flight in December 2003 and an onboard remote sensing system test in August 2004.
Although the aircraft has smaller dimensions, it is intended to fly at a service ceiling of 18,000 metres with a reported maximum speed of 800km/h for a total endurance of only 3 hours. The 80 kg mission payload reportedly contains a thermal imaging camera and a synthetic aperture radar. Reconnaissance data is transmitted via a satellite communications antenna in the nose bulge.
• ASN-206 / ASN-207 (Xi'an ASN Technology Group Company)
The ASN-206 is one of the earlier advanced tactical UAV programmes and one of the few that has been successfully introduced into service with the PLA. It is a lightweight, short-range, tactical multi-purpose UAV developed by Xi'an ASN Technology Group Company in 1994 and produced in series starting in 1996. According to unconfirmed sources, the Israeli company Tadiran Spectralink Ltd. has been involved in the development process. It carries various mission payloads and can, therefore, be used in a multitude of operations including day/night aerial reconnaissance, electronic warfare and countermeasures (EW/ECM), battlefield surveillance, border patrols and nuclear radiation sampling.
Powered by a HS-700 piston engine, the ASN-206 is a twin-tail braced UAV which is launched with the help of an accessory rocket from a 6x6 truck and is operated by a digital flight control and management system. The aircraft marks an important step in China’s UAV development as it provides real-time reconnaissance information, while older UAV models had to be recovered in order to access the collected data.
The ASN-207, of which four systems headed the UAV formation at the National Day Parade in early October, is an improved version of the ASN-206. It significantly surpasses the AN-206’s capabilities, reportedly providing double the endurance time and mission payload with a maximum range of 600km. It can easily be distinguished due to its mushroom-shape antenna mounted at the front of the aircraft, which receives flight control commands from the ground station.
Attack Drones / Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAV)
• Harpy (IAI)
The Harpy, built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), was another technology source for China’s own development efforts. The procurement of an unknown number of these attack UAVs in 1994 created quite a stir in U.S.-Israeli diplomatic relations, leading to a crisis of confidence between the two countries. This only happened in 2004 when the Chinese Harpy’s were sent back to Israel for an upgrade and after it was discovered that the PLA used Harpies during a military exercise. The Bush administration subsequently urged Israel to halt all arms-transfers to China.
The Harpy (which since has been further developed: see http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/415/) is not a typical UAV but, rather, a weapons system called “loitering munition”. The propeller-driven aircraft is launched from a ground vehicle or surface warship and can loiter for some time above the mission area to locate and identify a suitable high-value target. Its sensor collects valuable information until the Harpy attacks and destroys its target by crashing into it and detonating its 32 kg (70 lb) high-explosive warhead. It was specifically developed to detect, track and destroy radar emitters, such as enemy radar and SAM emplacements, in all weather conditions during day or night.
• Yi-long (Chengdu)
Another design by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation appears to be a copy of the U.S. MQ-1 Predator, yet without inverted but, rather, upright V-shaped tail wings. The aircraft is driven by a small tail propeller. It carries a small pivotable sensor suit almost beneath the centre of the slender fuselage. The model displayed at the 2008 Zhuhai air show did not feature pylons to carry weapons, however, design concepts of this aircraft were presented with one pylon on each wing, arranged in the same fashion as on the Predator, to carry light missiles.
• CH-3 (China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.)
The CH-3 is a medium-range long-endurance (MALE) UCAV model presented at the 2008 Zhuhai show which, due to its complexity, still appears to be far from becoming a reality. The aircraft has a canard airframe design with the tailplane ahead of the main wing. Still propeller-driven, the aircraft carries a large sensor suite underneath the fuselage at the level of the main wings’ root. According to the model, the aircraft is designed to carry two air-to-ground missiles, such as the AR-1 air-surface missile.
• Anjian (“Dark Sword”, Shenyang)
The “Dark Sword” is an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) concept which was displayed as a model at the 2006 Zhuhai air show. It is obviously designed for high manoeuvrability at supersonic speeds, having a flat, triangular shape with an additional large wing area and swing canards, hinting at China’s J-10 multi-role combat aircraft (which itself strongly resembles jets such as the Eurofighter, Rafale and Gripen). Its large intake underneath the fuselage implies high speed, agility and angle-of-attack, further suggesting that the aircraft will be powered by a turbofan.
At the Zhuhai air show, a staff member called the aircraft the “future of Chinese unmanned combat aviation”, emphasising its projected ability to evade enemy radar and to engage in air-to-air combat.
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/424/