Chinese UAV/UCAV development

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Colonel
plawolf said:
You can't shoot something unless you know what you are shooting at.

They will probably be able to detect heat sources from further away, but will have to close to within 5km to be able to positively ID it before they can take a shot.
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Ok, I didn't know the target ranges came from the video itself. In such actual targeting the range would depend on the actual situations like the intensity of the target heat source, whether it's nighttime and how strong the daylight was at the time.
 
N

no_name

Colonel
I think the range difference is not so much how far the cameras themselves can see, but the resolving resolution that can clearly separate out independent return signals and be used for automatic tracking. A bit like how radars have minimum angles they can resolve between two targets. My guess is that it is somewhat dependent on the wavelength and infrared is longer than visible light in that regard.

The benefits of SAR imaging is that it returns a lot more information than just visual pixels. Information like range, polarisation direction and layer information is also included. This gives more insightful displaying options such as a 3D description of the area under observation. The different reflection/absorption level of the different frequency bands by the foliage etc means you can see what is beneath trees and bushes and produced layered views.

I don't think the SAR on CH-4 is used for tracking, but they can be useful for gathering intel that the guys at the control can look over if they find anything interesting. It would take a lot of processing powers to analyse the returns and they might just relay the data back to station to do the processing there. Also for SAR imaging the whole picture of a region is typically only processed after a scanning pass so I don't think you can generate tracking information as the event unfolds in real time.

Apparently the CH-4s sold to Iraq were for 6 million USD each (maybe include supports and controllers?).
 
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samawat

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I am speculating, but if the price was 6 millions, that probably includes, command system , vehicles, sets of instruments, for subsystems checking and calibration, spare parts, training the iraqi personal, initial support on iraqi airfields, by the chinese tehnicians, and maybe two drones assigned, to each command system + sets of missiles and bombs. That would make sense, since China needs, domestic arms system marketing in real combat engagments
 
Deino

Deino

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To admit it was reported indeed, but I can't think that such a huge beast could have flown unnoticed from SAC without at least a blurred image or a report being posted.
 
SinoSoldier

SinoSoldier

Colonel
Deino said:
To admit it was reported indeed, but I can't think that such a huge beast could have flown unnoticed from SAC without at least a blurred image or a report being posted.
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Wait, I retract my statement. There were reports of it undergoing taxiing tests but no mention of an actual flight. My bad.
 
Deino

Deino

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Never mind ... by the way only about 5 hours + 10 minutes and the USAF will reveal who will build the next bomber to replace the B-52 !
 
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