Chinese UAV/UCAV development
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Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
From Dafengcao blog
Wind Shadow UAV for self use, powered by 2 × WS500 turbofan engines, compared to Shadow's Cloud WP-11C turbojet engine, less fuel consumption can be expected.
The two 500kg thrust engines Powering Wind Shadow UAV can be replaced by a 1000kg series thrust engines under development Including this one.
dafeng cao added,
A 1000kg thrust turbofan engine developed by CASIC 3rd Academy 31st Insti completed 1st flight test on 27 Oct.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
I don't know why the western press said that Chinese UAV is cheap because it lack satellite communication. That is not true It has satellite link.
The more application of UAV the better it is for the industry Since more money can be allocated to R&D
China need robust civilian aerospace market Depending on 1 single customer is never good Via cirr
Rainbow drone on lookout for forest fire
2017-11-20 15:05 China.org.cn Editor: Li Yan
A CH-4 drone parks on the apron of an undisclosed airport in northwest China. (File photo/China.org.cn)
A CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), also known as a "rainbow drone," will officially enter service to monitor forest fires in northeast China, following a deal inked between the regional forestry authority and the drone's manufacturer in Beijing on Nov. 19, 2017.
The drone's deployment, also known as an "eye in the sky," will enhance fire monitoring in China's Greater Khingan Mountainous, a task formerly undertaken by forest keepers' visual observation from fixed look-out posts and, occasionally, from manned aircraft.
Although effective, such methods were far from efficient, relying on a lot of manpower and their shortcomings are apparent, said Wang Hongbin, deputy chief of the Greater Khingan Forestry Authority, at the contract signing ceremony.
"For example, human eyes cannot see through fog in case there is a fire, and our [manned] aircraft aren't cleared for nighttime aviation," he said.
By contrast, the CH-4 is equipped with both visual and infrared sensors to allow it to see day and night and, more importantly, through fog.
In particular, the CH-4 is installed with near-infrared sensors that allow it to see through dense smoke and pinpoint the source of a fire.
"This is something human eyes can never achieve, no matter how many lookout posts are set up or how many manned planes are put in the air," said Zhou Nai'en, deputy general manager of CH UAV Company, which is affiliated to the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA).
Zhou said that traditional aerial observation for forest fire was conducted by people looking out through the plane's portholes with binoculars. "Flying too low risks safety but flying too high reduces efficiency," he said, inferring that an all-weather, high endurance drone was the right solution.
Public data show that in normal operations, a CH-4 can stay airborne for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 4,000-5,000 meters. In other words, one sortie can provide constant aerial surveillance for almost two days during which the drone's ground staff can take a rest in shifts.
The burden is eased for ground staff in that the pilots are only responsible for the flight while the task of detecting fires is left to the various sensors in the drone's payload.
The drone's deployment followed pressing demands from local forestry authorities for a "scientific and technological innovation" in forest monitoring and early warning of fire, said Wu Pengchao, chief of the Tahe Aviation Station, the future homeport for the CH-4.
Wu said that the State Forestry Administration allocated a special fund for such innovations and the local Forestry Authority considered that a rainbow drone would "ideally answer the demand" in terms of being affordable with a superb performance.
Forest surveillance in the Greater Khingan Mountains, which are situated between 50 to 53 degrees north latitude, is the northernmost mission so far for a rainbow drone. The location means the drone is farther from geosynchronous satellites, which are stationed above the equator.
"Hence, after preliminary tests in May we did special modifications as to increase its capacity for satellite communication to ensure the data link doesn't break during flights," said Zhou, "and of course, in the actual drone to be delivered, we will disable the fire control module."
Forest surveillance in northeast China is the latest mission to add to the list of civil tasks conducted by drones in the rainbow series, which has gained fame in overseas anti-terrorism operations. CH-4 alone is a star UAV that has been exported to 10 countries.
Civil or military agencies in those countries are interested in rainbow UAVs' capability in aerial surveillance, geological exploration, regional communication restoration and fire control.
Zhou, a designer for rainbow series drones, maintained that a UAV was a neutral, basic platform whose payloads are what decide whether its mission is civil or military. Forest fire monitoring services is another example of the widely called for military-civil integration.
The more application of UAV the better it is for the industry Since more money can be allocated to R&D
China need robust civilian aerospace market Depending on 1 single customer is never good Via cirr
Rainbow drone on lookout for forest fire
2017-11-20 15:05 China.org.cn Editor: Li Yan
A CH-4 drone parks on the apron of an undisclosed airport in northwest China. (File photo/China.org.cn)
A CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), also known as a "rainbow drone," will officially enter service to monitor forest fires in northeast China, following a deal inked between the regional forestry authority and the drone's manufacturer in Beijing on Nov. 19, 2017.
The drone's deployment, also known as an "eye in the sky," will enhance fire monitoring in China's Greater Khingan Mountainous, a task formerly undertaken by forest keepers' visual observation from fixed look-out posts and, occasionally, from manned aircraft.
Although effective, such methods were far from efficient, relying on a lot of manpower and their shortcomings are apparent, said Wang Hongbin, deputy chief of the Greater Khingan Forestry Authority, at the contract signing ceremony.
"For example, human eyes cannot see through fog in case there is a fire, and our [manned] aircraft aren't cleared for nighttime aviation," he said.
By contrast, the CH-4 is equipped with both visual and infrared sensors to allow it to see day and night and, more importantly, through fog.
In particular, the CH-4 is installed with near-infrared sensors that allow it to see through dense smoke and pinpoint the source of a fire.
"This is something human eyes can never achieve, no matter how many lookout posts are set up or how many manned planes are put in the air," said Zhou Nai'en, deputy general manager of CH UAV Company, which is affiliated to the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA).
Zhou said that traditional aerial observation for forest fire was conducted by people looking out through the plane's portholes with binoculars. "Flying too low risks safety but flying too high reduces efficiency," he said, inferring that an all-weather, high endurance drone was the right solution.
Public data show that in normal operations, a CH-4 can stay airborne for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 4,000-5,000 meters. In other words, one sortie can provide constant aerial surveillance for almost two days during which the drone's ground staff can take a rest in shifts.
The burden is eased for ground staff in that the pilots are only responsible for the flight while the task of detecting fires is left to the various sensors in the drone's payload.
The drone's deployment followed pressing demands from local forestry authorities for a "scientific and technological innovation" in forest monitoring and early warning of fire, said Wu Pengchao, chief of the Tahe Aviation Station, the future homeport for the CH-4.
Wu said that the State Forestry Administration allocated a special fund for such innovations and the local Forestry Authority considered that a rainbow drone would "ideally answer the demand" in terms of being affordable with a superb performance.
Forest surveillance in the Greater Khingan Mountains, which are situated between 50 to 53 degrees north latitude, is the northernmost mission so far for a rainbow drone. The location means the drone is farther from geosynchronous satellites, which are stationed above the equator.
"Hence, after preliminary tests in May we did special modifications as to increase its capacity for satellite communication to ensure the data link doesn't break during flights," said Zhou, "and of course, in the actual drone to be delivered, we will disable the fire control module."
Forest surveillance in northeast China is the latest mission to add to the list of civil tasks conducted by drones in the rainbow series, which has gained fame in overseas anti-terrorism operations. CH-4 alone is a star UAV that has been exported to 10 countries.
Civil or military agencies in those countries are interested in rainbow UAVs' capability in aerial surveillance, geological exploration, regional communication restoration and fire control.
Zhou, a designer for rainbow series drones, maintained that a UAV was a neutral, basic platform whose payloads are what decide whether its mission is civil or military. Forest fire monitoring services is another example of the widely called for military-civil integration.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
From JSCH AV 500 firing test successful. sorry for the GIF
18 Nov. Firing and target test successful.
18 Nov. Firing and target test successful.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
From Jane Look like they improve the opto electronic pod
The UAV is also equipped with an electro-optical system that can reportedly read a licence plate 50 km away from an altitude of 5,000 m. It also features both line-of-sight and satellite navigation and control systems.
China’s Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology unveils TYW-1 strike-capable UAV
Richard D Fisher Jr - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
15 November 2017
China’s Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology unveiled its TYW-1 strike-capable reconnaissance UAV (seen here) on 13 November. Source: Via YOUUAV.com
China’s Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology unveiled on 13 November its TYW-1 strike-capable reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and what appeared to be a new version of the BZK-005 multirole medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV at the company’s new factory in the eastern Chinese city of Taizhou.
Unveiled on 13 November China's TYW-1 strike-capable reconnaissance UAV features four underwing pylons and is reported to have a maximum take-off weight of 1,500 kg. (Via YOUUAV.com)
The TYW-1, which has a wingspan of 18 m, features the same pusher-engine, twin-boom, outward-canted stabiliser design of the BZK-005, the latter of which is believed to be in service with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The 9.85 m-long and 2.5 m-high TYW-1, however, is reported to have a maximum take-off weight of 1,500 kg compared with the 1,250 kg of the BZK-005.
According to Chinese media reports, the TYW-1 can carry a 370 kg payload, features four underwing pylons, has a ceiling of 7.5 km, an endurance of 40 hours, and can reach a top speed of 200 km/h.
The UAV is also equipped with an electro-optical system that can reportedly read a licence plate 50 km away from an altitude of 5,000 m. It also features both line-of-sight and satellite navigation and control systems.
The company also displayed what appeared to be a new version of the BZK-005 featuring a system mounted under the UAV's nose that could be electronic support measures (ESM), a radar, or a communication relay.
First revealed in a poster at the Airshow China 2004, the BZK-005 is believed to be in service with units of the People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF) as well as with a special group subordinate to the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.
China's Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology displayed on 13 November what appeared to be a new variant of the BZK-005 UAV. (Via mil.huanqiu.com)
In early April 2016 the BZK-005 was spotted on Woody Island in the South China Sea, and in September 2013 Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J aircraft intercepted a BZK-005 flying near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.
Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology is an offshoot of the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA), which originally developed the BZK-005 together with the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group.
The UAV is also equipped with an electro-optical system that can reportedly read a licence plate 50 km away from an altitude of 5,000 m. It also features both line-of-sight and satellite navigation and control systems.
China’s Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology unveils TYW-1 strike-capable UAV
Richard D Fisher Jr - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
15 November 2017
China’s Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology unveiled its TYW-1 strike-capable reconnaissance UAV (seen here) on 13 November. Source: Via YOUUAV.com
China’s Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology unveiled on 13 November its TYW-1 strike-capable reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and what appeared to be a new version of the BZK-005 multirole medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV at the company’s new factory in the eastern Chinese city of Taizhou.
The TYW-1, which has a wingspan of 18 m, features the same pusher-engine, twin-boom, outward-canted stabiliser design of the BZK-005, the latter of which is believed to be in service with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
The 9.85 m-long and 2.5 m-high TYW-1, however, is reported to have a maximum take-off weight of 1,500 kg compared with the 1,250 kg of the BZK-005.
According to Chinese media reports, the TYW-1 can carry a 370 kg payload, features four underwing pylons, has a ceiling of 7.5 km, an endurance of 40 hours, and can reach a top speed of 200 km/h.
The UAV is also equipped with an electro-optical system that can reportedly read a licence plate 50 km away from an altitude of 5,000 m. It also features both line-of-sight and satellite navigation and control systems.
The company also displayed what appeared to be a new version of the BZK-005 featuring a system mounted under the UAV's nose that could be electronic support measures (ESM), a radar, or a communication relay.
First revealed in a poster at the Airshow China 2004, the BZK-005 is believed to be in service with units of the People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF) as well as with a special group subordinate to the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission.
In early April 2016 the BZK-005 was spotted on Woody Island in the South China Sea, and in September 2013 Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J aircraft intercepted a BZK-005 flying near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.
Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology is an offshoot of the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA), which originally developed the BZK-005 together with the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group.
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
War tested, proven on the battlefield . So what kind of dissing the western media can throw at Chinese military equipment?
From Henri K blog
The CH-4 military drones acquired by the Iraqi army have conducted a hundred air raids against terrorists with more than 200 missiles fired. The success rate is 95%.
0 replies13 retweets16 likes
From Henri K blog
The CH-4 military drones acquired by the Iraqi army have conducted a hundred air raids against terrorists with more than 200 missiles fired. The success rate is 95%.
0 replies13 retweets16 likes
manqiangrexue
Brigadier
Sounds really great but are there other figures to compare with? When using US drones, is it 90%, a similar 95%, or 99.9%? 95% sounds great and for 25% the cost, it is definitely the best bang for the buck regardless but still interested how it stacks up irregardless of price against the competition. In other words, when you have a mission that simply cannot be failed and price is no objective, do clients call out the Rainbows or is it a job reserved for the expensive US drones? ThanksWar tested, proven on the battlefield . So what kind of dissing the western media can throw at Chinese military equipment?
From Henri K blog
The CH-4 military drones acquired by the Iraqi army have conducted a hundred air raids against terrorists with more than 200 missiles fired. The success rate is 95%.
0 replies13 retweets16 likes
Hendrik_2000
Lieutenant General
The UAv technology spread like wildfire in China. Every Zhang, Wang, Lie are making UAV these days. Every month there is new entrant in the field
Don't know or care about how good it is compare to other country
But quantity is quality by itself that was proven in Russian front during the WWII
In case of emergency China can outproduce anyone in UAV And the quality and sophistication of her product are improving by leap and bound every day. New sensor , new software , new engine, new design you name it
So the future is bright looking forward for new model or improved old model
manqiangrexue
Brigadier
There is no question that the future of China's UAV sector is effulgent, but it doesn't answer my question for a 1 vs. 1 comparison.
Now that I think about it, though, if CH-4 costs 1/4 what a Predator costs, or if scaled up, Chinese drones continue to cost a fraction of their American counterparts, then even if they have a slightly higher fail rate (which we do not have evidence of), sending 2-4 drones instead of 1 would certainly more than compensate. For example, if 4 CH4 go instead of 1 Predator, assuming a 95% success rate, then the probability of a total failure is 5% of 5% of 5% of 5% is 1 in 160,000, which is negligible by any standard and certainly below the Predator's fail rate by far. Plus, 4 CH-4 will still have a couples times the strike power and search ability of a Predator even in the very rare event that 1 or even 2 fail.
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