China unveiled latest UAV--Zhuhai Air Show

[fatman17]

ASIA PACIFIC
Date Posted: 19-Nov-2010


Jane's Defence Weekly

UAVs showcased at Airshow China.

Gordon Arthur, JDW Correspondent, Zuhai, China

More than 25 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designs jostled for attention at the biennial Airshow China, held in Zhuhai from 16-21 November.

This total exceeded previous shows and the collection covered the spectrum from civilian to combat UAV designs. The prominence given to these craft reflects the growing significance of unmanned vehicles to the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Befitting its status as China's largest UAV manufacturer, ASN Technology Group displayed 10 UAVs, including some newly unveiled designs. Among them was the ASN-213 Folding Wings UAV System prototype. The wing alters according to the flight profile and an ASN spokesman conceded it had a "possible military application".

While many designs are for dual civilian-military use, the ASN-211 Flapping Wing Aircraft is clearly aimed at the military sector. With a compact 800 mm wingspan and flapping wings that mimic an insect's motion, the 220 g craft can travel at 10 m/s, hover and take-off vertically, a spokesman said. Its 200 m flight ceiling would make the ASN-211 a useful reconnaissance asset for front-line soldiers.

Weighing in at 800 kg, ASN's largest system was the armed ASN-229A Reconnaissance and Precise Attack UAV, which is still under development. Able to cruise at 180 km/h and stay aloft for 20 hours, the 5.5 m-long ASN-229A can perform reconnaissance, target location or artillery observation missions via a satellite data-link.

A spokesman said ASN had not achieved UAV export sales to date but added: "We hope to win export orders soon." That is one reason why this eighth iteration of China's largest defence show was such a significant event for ASN: a firm that has a 90 per cent share of the Chinese UAV market.

Also among the 600 exhibitors were China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Both state-owned companies showcased sophisticated missile-armed UAVs. CASC displayed the CH-3 carrying two air-to-ground missiles akin to the AGM-114 Hellfire. This 640 kg medium-range craft with 220 km/h cruising speed is optimised for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, artillery fire adjustment and electronic warfare, as well as the depicted attack platform.

In an overtly political display, CASIC's promotional video for the WJ-600 UAV showed it locating a US aircraft carrier and sending target information so that a Chinese anti-ship cruise missile could be launched against it. The jet-powered WJ-600 prototype was fitted with under-wing KD2 air-to-ground missiles. No technical specifications were provided, but CASIC said it can carry synthetic aperture radar, data relay or electronic warfare equipment in addition to its weapon payload.

The jet-powered WJ-600 UAV exhibited by CASIC was armed with KD2 air-to-ground missiles.

 

[sergente rehan]

It look's really great but few technical info are very appreciated!

Only question; Is it a joint venture btw Pak-China? or is completly chinese product?

 

[fatman17]

It look's really great but few technical info are very appreciated!

Only question; Is it a joint venture btw Pak-China? or is completly chinese product?

pure chinese

 

[aboutimeee]

Some specifications of CH-3

1) Cruising speed: 220km/h
2) Maximum endurance: 12h
3) Maximum takeo mass: 640kg
4) Communications radius: 200km

 

[MJaa]

Yes, Burraq/CH3 is Pak-China joint venture...check post 1.

i cant see any confirmation in post 1 that Burraq is CH-3

and there is no news there that can confirm that ch-3 is a joint project

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

Its no secret that Chinese disrupted the Datalink of US drones flying in Iraq. Once you have the necessary equipment to pick up the Wireless Signals , then making a control system over its patterns is not a Big Deal. Anything(Signal) in air is compressible.Once you have sufficient amount of signal patterns then Decoding and Designing a System over it isnt a problem.Though Decoding is the real Headace. But in moderen Electronic Warefare, communication signals are protected by coupling them with various other signals. But as the signal strength increases so the volume of Equipment or the number of Equipments on Board.As Drones are lighter so Much effort in protecting its data link isn't made.As compared to Awacs whose signal is coupled with 100s or in some cases 1000s of other Signals which can literally make its data link and Communications uncompromisable and highly secure.Guys who deal in ECMs know all this.

The parameters such as long endurance flights are vital for UCAV's performance. Though the Chinese have made an effort but there Tech is yet to be tested in true Battle Field Scenarios.