Chinese MALE, HALE (and rotary, small, suicide) UAV/UCAV

[siegecrossbow]

China probably doesn't find that kind of drones which useful for Westpac conflict.

In what way is it far less survivable than JH-7? It should have lower signature and can bit fitted with pretty strong EW antennas.

It is slower and less maneuverable. I don’t buy the argument that it has better RCS. There are giant vertical slabs, straight inlet to the engine, as well as winglets and other bells and whistles. It should be able to cruise at a higher altitude, however, so that’s a plus.

 

[tphuang]

It is slower and less maneuverable. I don’t buy the argument that it has better RCS. There are giant vertical slabs, straight inlet to the engine, as well as winglets and other bells and whistles. It should be able to cruise at a higher altitude, however, so that’s a plus.

Against modern missiles, I'm really not sure JH-7 being a little faster and more maneuverable matter all that much.


Anyhow.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Jiutian drone is using Guangwei for Carbon Fiber composite materials for fuselage and AVIC High Tech/中航高科 for composite prepregs for components such as wing.

 

[AndrewS]

I think there is definitely a niche for this kind of drone due to the sheer amount of loitering fire power it could bring to a fight. However you have to come up with the proper strategy for using it. For all the military enthusiasts claiming that it is a good JH-7 replacement it is far less survivable than the former.

Jetank could operate as a replacement for the H-6, by launching CJ-10 cruise missiles (or even Shaheeds) against the 2IC?

The long range of these missiles (1500-2000km) means the Jetank should still be safe.

 

[Deino]

Jetank could operate as a replacement for the H-6, by launching CJ-10 cruise missiles (or even Shaheeds) against the 2IC?

The long range of these missiles (1500-2000km) means the Jetank should still be safe.

Really? That’s a joke …

 

[BoraTas]

Jetank could operate as a replacement for the H-6, by launching CJ-10 cruise missiles (or even Shaheeds) against the 2IC?

The long range of these missiles (1500-2000km) means the Jetank should still be safe.

It is way too small for that. Even the early H-6s are 4 times heavier aircraft. I do not think the Jetank replaces any particular item in PLA inventory. It will be a new capability if it is procured.

 

[AndrewS]

It is way too small for that. Even the early H-6s are 4 times heavier aircraft. I do not think the Jetank replaces any particular item in PLA inventory. It will be a new capability if it is procured.

We could see the Jetank carrying 2 CJ-10s, which is half the capability of the early H-6.

Sure, the Jetank would have a shorter range, but it would only have to reach ~1000km offshore

 

[sutton999]

You can send Jetank within the range of surviving long-range SAM. It might become acceptable to exchange Jetank for the last few long-range SAM during a siege. And it will effectively suppress middle-range SAM by staying at say 100km away.

Of course, the precondition is that you already have absolute air superiority over there.

 

[ACuriousPLAFan]

We could see the Jetank carrying 2 CJ-10s, which is half the capability of the early H-6.

Sure, the Jetank would have a shorter range, but it would only have to reach ~1000km offshore

No.

Each CJ-10 is ~8.3 meters long and weighs ~2.5 tons.

The Jetank UAV has a maximum payload capacity of 6 tons. Out of the total of 6 tons, its multi-mission cargo compartment located within the airframe can support a maximum of 4 tons of payload.

However, that compartment only has a length of no more than 7.5 meters. That means there is no way the CJ-10 can fit in there.

Meanwhile, the underwing pylons on the Jetank UAV (of which there are 8 in total) has an estimated payload capacity of no more than 1-1.5 tons for the innermost ones. That mean there won't be CJ-10s hanging underneath the wing either.

So forget about it.

 

[F=XX Corsair]

Missiles with the caliber of CJ-10 are a bit of a stretch. At best, it can launch some YJ-15s, AKF-98s, and the ABMs that were shown at last Zhuhai airshow.

 

[tphuang]

It is way too small for that. Even the early H-6s are 4 times heavier aircraft. I do not think the Jetank replaces any particular item in PLA inventory. It will be a new capability if it is procured.

Well, all H-6s have plenty of space for human operators. Effective payload wise, if Jiutian can carry 6ton payload with 4000 km range, that’s pretty good stuff as a bomb truck. I don’t think pre h6k versions can do that.

in reality, it probably never will carry that much, so 5000km+ range is possible with a “regular” payload. Which is quite useful for standoff attacks against weakened defense.