IS CHINA AHEAD OF AMERICA IN NEXT-GENERATION UNMANNED AIRCRAFT?

[MastanKhan]

Until now China isn't but within a decade it would be the moment China manages to complete engines which are under development in China game will totally change in favor of China

Hi,

No---it won't---. Engine alone will not do it---.

 

[Zarvan]

Hi,

No---it won't---. Engine alone will not do it---.

In other things like radars and avionics China is way more close than engines. The real issue left are engines. Radars and Avionics and other stuff China is pretty much equal now

 

[Akasa]

How is a mockup a demonstration of superiority in this domain? The author is not making sense.

There is also the issue that US does not export its advanced drones to other countries, and does not allow potential visitors to check them out.

Nevertheless, China dispatched a delegation to Iran to study the RQ-170 Sentinel drone which fell into hands of Iran in 2011. It is possible that China have a functioning prototype by now.

On the other hand, RQ-170 platform is evolving - a new variant was spotted in 2017: http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...0-stealth-spy-drone-appears-at-vandenberg-afb

The endgame is the next-generation RQ-180 drone which will be autonomous to large extent, and with the capability to defeat other aircraft in combat. This drone would be the unmanned workhorse of USAF in the near future - slated to replace MQ-9 Predator.

An RQ-180 prototype already exist (hints from informed sources), but its developer have not made it public yet.

---

MQ-9 Reaper now have air-to-air engagment capabilities - the first for any drone:
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...reaper-shot-down-target-drone-during-exercise

- an important development for RQ-180 program as well.

The Chinese have had at least one working prototype of a strike-capable "stealthy" UAV since 2013, meaning that it is unlikely they would've managed to copy and build a functioning RQ170 clone, and make it look completely different to boot, within two years' time.

It's also worth mentioning that the CH-7 drone shown at the Zhuhai Airshow wasn't a mockup but a demonstrator prototype, according to folks who spoke with the company people. The Wing Loong UAV also carries TY-90 short-range air-to-air missiles, IIRC.

I'm in general agreement with the notion that a few drone prototypes do not mean that China has "leapfrogged" the United States in this sector, but this article focuses too much on "what-ifs" and the entire "copying" saga stemming from an alleged inspection of an Iranian-captured RQ-170. But whatever, authors need to make a living as well.

 

[jhungary]

In other things like radars and avionics China is way more close than engines. The real issue left are engines. Radars and Avionics and other stuff China is pretty much equal now

Cannot vouch for avionics, But in terms of Radar development, China is probably 10 to 15 years behind the US big gun (NG and Raytheon). While most radar detail are classified (while I do have some access but I cannot give it out here on the open) Most of Radar system in the US are more "Adaptable" and "Advance" than China.

Let me give you an example.

Now, we all know Stealth try to defeat radar or sensor, right? So how exactly a friendly radar system can detect friendly stealth but at the same time, does not give away the ping to the enemy? Now, obviously when a stealth aircraft is hidden in enemy radar, friendly can still see them, but how?

Many advance radar system have the ability to look thru a stealth platform or advance jamming platform. And seeing China are at least 10 to 15 years behind US Stealth Technology and Jamming technology, we would have to give US 15 + years heads start. So, generally speaking, Chinese system on this end is probably about 15 years behind the US.

Now, of course, I cannot be sure (unlike some Chinese fanboy here) and say it is a definite, because I do not have access to hard data regarding Chinese Radar and I only have some access to US radar system, but logically speaking, it's about 15 years behind, given US and China have 1 to 1 progress.

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

America today is not America of the 70s. It takes Americans 1 year to build a house now. It takes Chinese 1 month to build a house. America is too weak and becoming more and more Mexicanized every day.

 

[Oldman1]

China AWACS are all AESA generation ahead of US PESA AWACS. In terms of manufacturing combat airframe, China are ahead US with far more advance 3D printing and manufacturing technique. The Chinese 80000tons hydraulic forger help making far superior aircraft structure which US don't have.

You are still reaching.

 

[James David]

Americans don't usually reveal most of their projects until they are completed, god knows what they are currently making at Area 51.

Good question maybe our peeps our making a Klingon Bird of Prey or a Romulan Warbird.

Well if you see that uncle sam made f-22 nearly 30 years ago which is still comparable or even better than all other 5th gen fighter.
The kept all there secret stuff in Area 51

Not comparable. Not even close. We are way ahead of others.

China is ahead of US in next generation weapon research like hypersonic vehicles, quantum science and AI technology while US leads in tradtional military sectors, but the world is changing fast and China can leapfrog US in the future weaponry research. The next war will be very likely fought without combat personnels.

Think about where Chinese military was 10 years ago and where Chinese military is now today and where she would be 10 years from now.

Yeah. Keep believing that.

Americans are lazy. They don't work when it's rainy, when it's windy, when it's Saturday, when it's Sunday, when it's hot, when it's cold, when they don't feel like it. It takes Chinese 1 month to build a house. It takes Americans 1 year to build a house. America now is not America of the 70s and 80s. America now is heavily Mexicanized, on drugs, on coke.

Yeah and a Chinese pretending to be a Canadian to be saying that... Jeeez how high PDF has fallen!