Chinese UAV/UCAV development

Just found somewhere in the www and only the name "National Target Signature Research and Experimental Center" was mentioned .... the right one is clearly a J-20 similar to the one we know at the two RCS-testing facilities but the other one looks like a flying wing? Maybe an UAV or even the H-X?

Any ideas ??

Deino said:

Just found somewhere in the www and only the name "National Target Signature Research and Experimental Center" was mentioned .... the right one is clearly a J-20 similar to the one we know at the two RCS-testing facilities but the other one looks like a flying wing? Maybe an UAV or even the H-X?

Any ideas ??

View attachment 41208

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If it is the H-X project, that would be a scaled model. Otherwise, it would probably be a kind of UCAV or Strategic Recon UAV (like RQ-170/180). In any case, general shape indicates that this aircraft is intended for deep penetration of advanced IADS-defended airspaces.

Deino said:

Just found somewhere in the www and only the name "National Target Signature Research and Experimental Center" was mentioned .... the right one is clearly a J-20 similar to the one we know at the two RCS-testing facilities but the other one looks like a flying wing? Maybe an UAV or even the H-X?

Any ideas ??

View attachment 41208

Click to expand...

SOC found it and as I thought at first: Taken at the same RCS teststand at Gaobeidian (39.370868 N 115.927317 E).
Regrettable that "thing" is not visible at GE and my TerraServer-access is limited. Anyway by comparing with that taxiway and even if both images are not to the same size it has about 18m span.

Maybe it's another scaled blended wing design.

A subscale demonstrator, a revised Dark Sword ? A H-X-model for RCS-testing ???

Deino said:

SOC found it and as I thought at first: Taken at the same RCS teststand at Gaobeidian (39.370868 N 115.927317 E).
Regrettable that "thing" is not visible at GE and my TerraServer-access is limited. Anyway by comparing with that taxiway and even if both images are not to the same size it has about 18m span.

View attachment 41220 View attachment 41221

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~18m span is about the same as that of the X-47B.

What would a scaled down bomber be doing at GAAC UAV test site ? When has china done scaled down testing in open air field ? This is not related to H-X

This is most likely a UCAV and a long range one, deep strike maybe upgrade of shaper sword

Does anyone have some insight in fixed wing UAV orbat of PLA and PLAAF?

Which units have which models? And if possible, how large, approximately, each unit is?

I'm not interested in hand or small catapult launched ones, but ones like ch-81 (truck based) and larger.

Is there any way to approximate a number of such UAV units chinese forces have?

It's larger than Sharp Sword's 14m wingspan with the engine buried in the fuselage... Could be a clean-sheet design?

Look like the wings sticks out a bit, that means it can easily fold on carriers. Also very wide area for bodies, that also means good payload and fuel.

By all means this look like a deep strike bomber UAV