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

[Blitzo]

What are the chances that this drone is also a Xi'an product and might even be based on the old H-20 design. It likely also use H-20 tech like the same engine/intake design.

I'm sure that there are lots of overlapping bits and pieces of technology and research for H-20 that could be applied among a number of other projects, including maybe this one.

Whether it's a XAC product or not, and the degree to which it has overlap with H-20, imo is unimportant. At this stage the PRC aerospace industry should have enough breadth and depth of experience with signature reduction that direct relationships with other projects isn't a big deal.

I fixed it. Happy? This one requires some assumptions based on the shadows and the wingtips are covered by a white thing.
View attachment 154516

Nice effort.

I think it shows well how the WZ-X has a rather small central fuselage section compared to its overall size (put into perspective with the B-2 profile next to it), which would of course limit the size of any weapons bay it could accommodate, and thus limit the weapons it could carry.

Putting it another way, this thing doesn't have the right planform for a strike bomber, but it has the right planform for a ISR UAV

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

TBH, now looking back at this from February 2024:

More footage on the Sky Hawk UAV during its flight tests.

It is said that the Sky Hawk UAV, developed by the 3rd Institute of CASIC, successfully flew for the first time in November 2017, and the improved version of the Sky Hawk that is stealthier and with longer endurance will be tested in the field very soon.

Posted by @李明潇 on Facebook.


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Kinda wondering if this Sky Hawk UAV (or hopefully, its larger improved variant) could form a high-low pair of VLO, flying-wing ISR UAVs with the WZ-X for the PLA.

That is, the Sky Hawk (or its larger improved variant) with its smaller size (and hence, cheaper procurement and easier production) will be meant for local/regional ISR, whereas the WZ-X with its much larger size (and hence, more expensive but more capable) will be meant for theater/strategic ISR.

 

[dingyibvs]

I'm sure that there are lots of overlapping bits and pieces of technology and research for H-20 that could be applied among a number of other projects, including maybe this one.

Whether it's a XAC product or not, and the degree to which it has overlap with H-20, imo is unimportant. At this stage the PRC aerospace industry should have enough breadth and depth of experience with signature reduction that direct relationships with other projects isn't a big deal.



Nice effort.

I think it shows well how the WZ-X has a rather small central fuselage section compared to its overall size (put into perspective with the B-2 profile next to it), which would of course limit the size of any weapons bay it could accommodate, and thus limit the weapons it could carry.

Putting it another way, this thing doesn't have the right planform for a strike bomber, but it has the right planform for a ISR UAV

How long is the cockpit section of the B-2? I wonder much longer can the weapons bay be if there's no cockpit? Can it be similar to B-21's?

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

Just a CG showcase of major UAV models by China, with fighter jets for visualization. Made by @钢铁机机 on Weibo.

母鸡 = Chicken Hen (a roundabout homophonetic way of saying "I don't know" in Cantonese)

From top row, left to right:
1st row: WZ-7, WZ-9, CH-7
2nd row: CH-9, WZ-X, unknown UAV #1, WZ-8, unknown UAV #2
3rd row: J-35/A, J-XDS, Jetank, J-36, J-20

Note:
1. The dimensions presented may not be fully accurate.
2. The unknown UAV #1 likely refers to this one spotted at Gaobeidian last year.

 

[Tomboy]

Just a CG showcase of major UAV models by China, with fighter jets for visualization. Made by @钢铁机机 on Weibo.

母鸡 = Chicken Hen (a roundabout homophonetic way of saying "I don't know" in Cantonese)

From top row, left to right:
1st row: WZ-7, WZ-9, CH-7
2nd row: CH-9, WZ-X, unknown UAV #1, WZ-8, unknown UAV #2
3rd row: J-35/A, J-XDS, Jetank, J-36, J-20

Note:
1. The dimensions provided may not be fully accurate.
2. The unknown UAV #1 likely refers to this one spotted at Gaobeidian last year.

View attachment 154537

What's Unknown No. 2, it looks like the X-47A

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

What's Unknown No. 2, it looks like the X-47A

I can't recall, though given the texture skin used, I suspect that it was seen on satellite imagery somewhere, sometime ago. The same applies with #1.

If anyone remembers what those two UAVs are referring to, please do mention.

 

[4Tran]

Story goes the H-20 program was subject to at least one, if not two major re-designs: one of which allegedly in response to a PLAAF requirement for a supersonic platform after coming to the conclusion that a subsonic platform akin to the B-2 or B-21 would be uncompetitive or otherwise inadequate.

This is fascinating if true. It implies two major points. The first is that the PLAAF is correctly identifying that getting the capabilities of the H-20 right is far more important than building it quickly. The second is if a subsonic stealth bomber is too vulnerable that means that the PLA has the capability to detect stealth aircraft at a decent range.

 

[Michaelsinodef]

This is fascinating if true. It implies two major points. The first is that the PLAAF is correctly identifying that getting the capabilities of the H-20 right is far more important than building it quickly. The second is if a subsonic stealth bomber is too vulnerable that means that the PLA has the capability to detect stealth aircraft at a decent range.

Would not be surprised if the PLA could reliably detect something like the B2 or B21 at the many hundreds of kilometer range (300+).

 

[tphuang]

if they actually put something like this into production, it should have a very long range and be quite expensive. I would be curious what engines it uses, probably 2 WS-10 without afterburner, I would imagine.

 

[Blitzo]

How long is the cockpit section of the B-2? I wonder much longer can the weapons bay be if there's no cockpit? Can it be similar to B-21's?

I'm not sure what you're asking, but it overall seems to be in the direction of trying to consider if it's possible for this aircraft to have a weapons bay of any size.

Of course this aircraft is able to have a weapons bay, that has never really been under question. What is under question is whether it makes sense for this thing to have a weapons bay -- any weapons bay it would have, by virtue of its planform, would be rather small for its size. That's why it is thought to be more likely to be appropriate for a recce role.