Chinese UAV/UCAV development
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SinoSoldier
Colonel
CH-901 man-portable, tube launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and loitering munition.
According to :
A Poly official said it has been in development for "several years" and that both versions have been acquired by China's People's Liberation Army. This official added that while "several friendly countries" have shown interest, there have been no foreign sales so far.
One operating system weighs 45 kg and consists of three UAVs, one launch tube and a laptop computer control system. It is man-portable or can be carried by a small SUV.
The 1.2 m length aircraft weighs 9 kg, flies at a speed of 150 km/hr and has an operating radius of 15 km or a search endurance of 120 minutes.
Its small search and tracking camera is able to detect targets out to 2 km. The electric motor is credited with "low noise" that helps concealment. The aircraft has a life span of 20 sorties or 10 years.
Poly officials declined to provide details about the warhead of the loitering munition version.
Can somebody explain how these are operated? Does the controller literally fly them into the target via video link?
antiterror13
Brigadier
Do you guys think finally China would allow CH-5 to be exported ? perhaps only to selected countries?
Why China would not allow CH 5 export ?
By now China has even more advanced UAV projects and technologies in the testing
Basically, China is hardly standing for any ideology, all they care about is money. CH 5 is the only Reaper competitor globally. Its foolish to miss such a chance, to cash in big piles of money
By now China has even more advanced UAV projects and technologies in the testing
Basically, China is hardly standing for any ideology, all they care about is money. CH 5 is the only Reaper competitor globally. Its foolish to miss such a chance, to cash in big piles of money
Given that the CH-5 drone has an exposed propeller, it is never going to be stealthy and therefore will be of little use in any sort of contested environment.
But it does suit low-intensity warfare against insurgents or Islamic terrorists which can't fight back. And eliminating these groups is in the interests of China (and the US for that matter)
So yes, there are many reasons why China should export the CH-05 as much as possible.
But it does suit low-intensity warfare against insurgents or Islamic terrorists which can't fight back. And eliminating these groups is in the interests of China (and the US for that matter)
So yes, there are many reasons why China should export the CH-05 as much as possible.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
China never exports its best military equipment.
Even during the early 90s, when China was still poor and desperate for foreign currency, the Chinese turned down Iranian approaches to buy the J8II, because it was the best fight China had at the time.
Many countries expressed interest in the J10, but that has still not officially been advertised as for sale.
The general rule is that China will not approve the export of something they are using themselves until the next generation of weapons intended to replace it is operationally deployed, or at least in the final stages of testing.
In comparison to Western and especially Russian companies, Chinese arms manufactures care about far more than just commercial concerns like money or market share.
In most ways, Chinese arms manufactures are effectively competing with one hand tied behind their back, because while the Western firms are offering versions of weapons their own forces are using, and the Russians are offering things better than what their own armed forces are using, Chinese companies are only allowed to sell kit that is a generation behind what the PLA is using for most key categories.
It's only with niche, support and a few non-critical areas where Chinese companies are allowed to offer their best products for export, and even then its often only made available to Pakistan only rather than being for general sale to anyone who wants it.
I deem two important points regarding this matter :
Chinese institutes, already have much superior jet engine UAVs, luke sharp sword, and probably many more in theirs development pipeline. Not to be misunterstood, CH 5 is a game changer in many war scenarios and its terrific device, but , I think China is preparing very serious UCAV deploymnet, in the pacific theatre in the way not remotively seen before. I mean integrated sensors and artificial inteligence, enabling big groups of UCAVs to attack enemy aircraft carriors and harbours simultaneously
CH 5, on the other hand is inteded, for tasks being carried out by one or a few units, against insurgent convoys, artillery, command centers ... It ideal for a war theatre with very primitive or no air defence. So I dont think , even this drone exported, with any of its features downscaled, it poses any threat for China , being primarely anti insurgency weapon
Dont see any harm , for CH 5 in hands of for example Argentina, Kazakhstan, Algeria, since its full combat capabilities, are emphasized in combating insurgency / terrorism
For the needs of some other countries, this UAV can be equipped , as electro optic and radar platform fulfilling only reconnassaince , coast guarding tasks etc
Countries, not being in good good terms with China such as India, Vietnam , etc are not going to send a inquiry anyway. So if I was chinese official or a comission for clearing arm exports, I would allow its export without any, or minor restrictions
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