It should be in advanced stages of PLA trials in small numbers.
Chinese UCAV/CCA/flying wing drones (ISR, A2A, A2G) thread
- Thread starter VESSEL
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It should be in advanced stages of PLA trials in small numbers.
According to what I know, the Air Force hasn't placed mass orders for the GJ-11 while developing more advanced drones than this model.. Meanwhile, the GJ-11 is being adapted for naval use.
What I can tell you is incredible jump in military stocks this year, like never seen before. Never this much in previous parades.
yes, there are a few operational an Cangzhou
So there are 3 different models of CCAs? Presumably the first one is the CAC Little Leaf while the other ones are the labelled CCA1 and CCA2 in the sat pics? It of course makes perfect to use the aerodynamics already developed for the 6th gen and probably their flight performance is not too far off (probably supersonic? supercruising?) from the J-36 and J-50.
I love that channel. Whoever it is also posted a more detailed video of just the model on the far right, here:
I won't presume any accuracy as to the poster's description of being supersonic or if it will actually be capable in a dog-fight (there is even a cobra maneuver shown), but it is really tantalizing to think about.
I suppose there should be 4 different, unknown CCA-type UCAV models (bracketed in blue), not just 3.
The larger two could be high-tier ones, whereas the smaller two could either be mid-tier ones or in roughly the same tier as the larger two. In addition, each of them could have been adapted/designed for different usage situations.
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That may be a benefit, but I'd wager the real reason is to cut down on R&D costs since optical confusion can be defeated by developed software after sufficient input of scans/combat data.
Making novel flight control profiles is hard, and expensive. I imagine we'll see CCAs that are very similar to how the J-36 and J-50 actually fly, just with greatly downgraded subsystems (and of course no pilot cockpit or similar considerations). This would fit the "teapot and teacup" analogy, they're all part of the same set (flight control profile) in terms of outwards visual design and characteristics, but the pilot and its commands (the tea) come from the teapot.