Chinese UAV/UCAV development

by78 said:

New Chengdu designed, artillery-launched UAV. It's used to designate targets for other guided munitions. I'm not entirely sure if it can also carry an explosive payload and attack targets directly (as what the third photo appears to illustrate).

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Its not going to have direct attack capability. Adding such a capability would mean setting asside room in the round for the warhead and a rocket booster to give it some speed.

Considering this this is supposed to fit in a 155mm max artillery round, the size limitations is just unfeasible to allow such a secondary role.

Beside, adding such a role, even if possible and practical, would remove one of the key advantages of this design - recoverability.

I see this being used as a scout UAV for armoured advances, especially those with self propelled artillery.

Rather than having to send in SpecOps scouts or call in airborne assets, an armoured formation can just lob a shell over a mountain and see what's on the other side for example.

If there are hostiles, a quick follow up volley with laser guided shells will kill the enemy.

If there are no hostiles, the main force or a small rear echelon recovery crew can pick up the UAV, take it back to the unit. The techs can charge or replace the battery, and load it into another case and its ready to go again.

Sensor ball of the CH-3 UCAV what crashed in Nigeria.

Via Hongjian, CDF

Apparently it's a near space UAV.

Diagram shows four AESAs with near 360 degree coverage, suggesting broad area coverage, with all four sets featuring X and UHF band AESAs all with AMTI mode, and the middle two featuring GMTI and SAR. In terms of function, looks like a mix of AEW and JSTARS onboard a HALE UAV.

A very spectacularly strange design.

Worth keeping in mind, if this is a near space, HALE UAV, then it must have quite a large wingspan. But it's also quite long as well, like two conjoined flying wings, a small one at the front joined to a big one at the rear. Also, remember you'll need a lot of power to get all four radars going. So probably going to be a big UAV.

The person who does those CAD drawings... I remember seeing that UAV in one of his works. That person must have some insider knowledge because he also had drawings of the black stealth strike bomber before the model showed up at an exhibition.

More, again via Hongjian:
I suppose the pictures speak for themselves.

Two more:





looks like PLA's version of BAMS, but emphasizing radar and consistent high altitude rather than also including EO ball. Also, air surveillance and surface surveillance seem both integrated into this platform

The last diagram shows this UAV's difference from BAMS concept. With a stealthy airframe, the Chinese UAV is intended to be survivable in a far more forward position compare to BAMS.

shen said:

The last diagram shows this UAV's difference from BAMS concept. With a stealthy airframe, the Chinese UAV is intended to be survivable in a far more forward position compare to BAMS.

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To be fair, I think BAMS is meant to operate in a relatively forward position as well, it's just that the USN can rely on air superiority for their MQ-4Cs to not be shot down.

The UAV (name apparently "Divine Eagle" btw), not only has a stealthier design, but is also meant to operate at a consistently high altitude, relying on long range radar to detect not only surface targets at long distance, but also stealthy airborne targets too. Then in addition to that, it includes a JSTARS-like GMTI/SAR capability for use in ground and sea surface surveillance as well.
So it's kind of like a UAV that includes an AEW and JSTARS/AGS function as well. I think there are some advantages to putting all this on a UAV -- it means your actual sensor platform won't suffer from human endurance problems, and it also means it can cruise at a higher altitude than a manned AEWC (for instance, global hawk's service ceiling is 19km compared to 10+ km for most AEWC) meaning you have a longer radar horizon meaning you can detect surface targets at longer distance. Being a UAV means you can also make your sensor platform more stealthy.
The disadvantages with using a UAV, is some of the same disadvantages that all UAV operation has. You're vulnerable to disruption of signals, your UAV might be more vulnerable to shoot down than a manned aircraft during periods of peacetime tension, and it's difficult to troubleshoot any flight problems on a UAV compared to a fully manned AEWC bird. But these are all problems that will be mitigated with continued maturation of UAVs, and are similar challenges that have to be and were overcome by the US in developing programmes like UCLASS and BAMS. So if the PLA are confident enough to put so many expensive radars on a UAV like this then they must be making some impressive strides as well.

Edit: this picture shows the UAV detecting, tracking stealthy targets like F-22, B-2, etc. That's why they have the UHF radar, as the anti stealth component of the radar.

AssassinsMace said:

The person who does those CAD drawings... I remember seeing that UAV in one of his works. That person must have some insider knowledge because he also had drawings of the black stealth strike bomber before the model showed up at an exhibition.

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BBS thinks the same:

裴神发的图啊，果然和草根当时的爆料差不多啊。

That guy who did the drawing and the big shrimp who leaked this news/picture seem to be both insiders...

Hmmm apparently BBS says this bird has already made its first flight....

Considering the potential capability of this UAV, I suspect we won't see real pictures of it anytime soon. It is probably as important as the stealth bomber project in many ways.