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

[by78]

A hydrogen fuel cell drone developed by AVIC has completed its first flight.

1月1日，由航空工业成飞自主研制的氢能源动力固定翼无人机在成都圆满完成首次飞行试验。该无人机总长5.2米，翼展9.2米。首飞历时15分钟，氢燃料电池和动力系统全程工作稳定，飞行数据表明满足不低于20小时续航的设计预期。研制过程中突破了内外流一体化总体设计、70MPa高压气态储氢系统设计、高效能量管理设计等关键技术，具有能量密度高、绿色无污染等显著优势，适用于巡线巡检、安防监控、中继通信等应用场景...

On January 1, a hydrogen powered fixed-wing drone independently developed by Aviation Industry Chengdu successfully completed its first flight test in Chengdu. The drone has a total length of 5.2 meters and a wingspan of 9.2 meters. The first flight lasted 15 minutes. The hydrogen fuel cell and power system performed stably throughout the entire flight. The flight data showed that it met the design expectations of no less than 20 hours of endurance. During the development process, a number of breakthroughs were made in key technologies such as 70MPa high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage system design and efficient energy management design. The UAV is suitable for power line inspections, surveillance and safety monitoring, and relay communications.

https://imgur.com/a/rAG4PcY

https://imgur.com/a/XKZAdcP

 

[by78]

AVIC GQ-580 and GQ-680 rotary UAVs have successfully completed their first high-altitude cold weather (-27°C) missions.

 

[by78]

The GrayWhale G1 cargo drone from Ziyan, the maker of the Blowfish series of UCAVs. G1 features a built-in parachute (mounted atop the rotor). Payload is 21kg, with a range of 60km. According to the company, it be repurposed to carry weapons.

 

[by78]

Learned something new today. Near Mianyang, Sichuan province, there is a special airspace designated for UAV testing. Many UAV manufacturers from all around the country conduct test flights there.

 

[pipaster]

Learned something new today. Near Mianyang, Sichuan province, there is a special airspace designated for UAV testing. Many UAV manufacturers from all around the country conduct test flights there.

This is a nice benefit having very controlled airspace, allows you to do these things much easier.

 

[by78]

JM35LA fixed wing VTOL UAV. It can be powered by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells, and can switch quickly between the two options depending on mission requirements.

Wingspan: 4.76m
Length: 2.98m
Max takeoff weight: ≤35kg
Payload: ≥8kg
Cruise speed: 18m/s
Max speed: 35m/s
Max climb rate: 5m/s (fixed wing mode); 3m/s (vertical/rotors only)
Max descend rate: 5m/s (fixed wing mode); 3.5m/s (vertical/rotors only)
Endurance: ≥4h (on battery); ≥8h (hydrogen fuel)
Remote control radius: ≥50km

 

[by78]

A Pakistani WingLoong II UCAV.

 

[siegecrossbow]

A Pakistani WingLoong II UCAV.

PAF: how many missiles can you carry?
WL-2: Yes.

 

[Blitzo]

PAF: how many missiles can you carry?
WL-2: Yes.

It would be a bit more impressive if they were regular sized KD-10s, but it's a start.

 

[siegecrossbow]

It would be a bit more impressive if they were regular sized KD-10s, but it's a start.

For that you’d need WL-3.