Chinese UCAV/CCA/flying wing drones (ISR, A2A, A2G)

[mack8]

I did try but it said the format is not supported or something like that.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

I did try but it said the format is not supported or something like that.

You'll need to convert the picture format from webp to jpg or png first. Online tools are available.

 

[tankphobia]

I think it's very important to state that GJ-11 and GJ-21 are likely the most stealthy aircraft in PLA service once they enter service. They also likely have longer range than any current PLAAF aircraft (a little more debatable here).

So, one should not understate its importance or significance.

I am really intrigued to find out just what kind of payload it will be carrying.

imo, it should also be at a higher degree of stealth than B-2 & F-117. Which is a little unfair since it is coming into service so much later. But on the battlefield, you don't really care about how old or new a platform is. You just care about how hard it is to pick up.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that singled engine, unmanned aircraft even if stealthy should be intentionally gimped since due to its mission type, getting detected and downed would only be a matter of time.

Would PLAAF really risk the capture and analysis of their most advanced stealth tech on a unmanned platform?

 

[jnd85]

You'll need to convert the picture format from webp to jpg or png first. Online tools are available.

Screenshot/snipping tools work just fine too if you don't want to go to too much trouble. All these formats are a headache!

 

[tphuang]

Conventional wisdom would suggest that singled engine, unmanned aircraft even if stealthy should be intentionally gimped since due to its mission type, getting detected and downed would only be a matter of time.

Would PLAAF really risk the capture and analysis of their most advanced stealth tech on a unmanned platform?

This is a strange thing to say. Why would GJ-11 or GJ-21 be easier to be detected and shot down than B-2?

by virtual of the fact it is a clean flywing design, it's going to be stealthier across the spectrum than J-20 and J-35. They weren't ready to make tailless fighter jet until 6th gen. The tech for that wasn't ready yet. But clearly, the tech was ready for tailless attack aircraft already, so that's what they went with. Do you think studying planform up close is the same thing as studying material science?

 

[tankphobia]

This is a strange thing to say. Why would GJ-11 or GJ-21 be easier to be detected and shot down than B-2?

by virtual of the fact it is a clean flywing design, it's going to be stealthier across the spectrum than J-20 and J-35. They weren't ready to make tailless fighter jet until 6th gen. The tech for that wasn't ready yet. But clearly, the tech was ready for tailless attack aircraft already, so that's what they went with. Do you think studying planform up close is the same thing as studying material science?

No, I mean as a virtue of it being unmanned it will be used in a risker manner than manned aircraft. I would expect it to be used in a penetrating strike role.

By that metric it would only be a matter of time before either detection/mechanical failure would down it within enemy air space as has happened with the US RQ-170. In that sense it shouldn't have the best stealth technology to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. If you only mean it's the stealthiest due to shaping only then my argument is moot.

 

[tphuang]

No, I mean as a virtue of it being unmanned it will be used in a risker manner than manned aircraft. I would expect it to be used in a penetrating strike role.

By that metric it would only be a matter of time before either detection/mechanical failure would down it within enemy air space as has happened with the US RQ-170. In that sense it shouldn't have the best stealth technology to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. If you only mean it's the stealthiest due to shaping only then my argument is moot.

Planform is the most importantly factor in all aspect stealth. I'm not sure what other stealth tech you are thinking of? Are you referring to the material science or using passive sensors or what exactly are you referring to?

 

[Nevermore]

Planform is the most importantly factor in all aspect stealth. I'm not sure what other stealth tech you are thinking of? Are you referring to the material science or using passive sensors or what exactly are you referring to?

He likely meant that such aircraft typically undertake missions far riskier than those flown by manned fighters. Employing cutting-edge stealth technology on these drones carries the risk of technological leakage if they are shot down during dangerous operations.

 

[tphuang]

He likely meant that such aircraft typically undertake missions far riskier than those flown by manned fighters. Employing cutting-edge stealth technology on these drones carries the risk of technological leakage if they are shot down during dangerous operations.

again, when you say stuff like that, it's unclear what is the cutting edge stealth tech you are referring to that's not planform related. I can only watch and see the planform. I have no insight into what material science is applied to a tailless UCAV.

 

[by78]

Does anyone have access to the paper from which this excerpt is taken? As far as I can tell, the paper likely sketches out the parameters for a variable-geometry UCAV (transforming from tailed to tail-less depending on mission profile and flight regime):
– Weight (empty/max take-off): 9.4/15 tons
– Fuel: 4.8 tons
– Payload: 800 kg
– Wing loading: 360 kg/sqm
– T/W ratio: 1.02
– Single engine with (max?) thrust of ≤15500 kgf.