Chinese UAV/UCAV development
- Thread starter AssassinsMace
- Start date
- Status
I think the predator/reaper configuration is now as ubiquitous for MALE drones as the F-22/F-35 configuration is for stealth fighters now, what with the CH-4/5 and Pterodactyl family, Shahed-129, and Anka family all fielding the same V tail, high aspect ratio wings, and push properller configuration, and the distinctive satcom dome in the nose. (Watchkeeper is also in this category but obviously it lacks the distinctive satcom dome and no armed variant exists.)
I don't think there's any other configuration which comes close as being an industry standard for the mid weight UAV/UCAV MALE domain, apart form possibly the twin boom push propeller configuration that BZK-005, Heron/Eitan use, but that seems to be more common for MALE/HALE UAVs without attack as a primary mission..
Last edited:
Chengdu Wing Loong(Pterodactyl)-II Specifications
Length: 11m
Height: 4.1m
max. Takeoff Weight: 4200 kg
max. Pylon Payload: 480 kg
max. Speed: 370 km/h
min. Speed: 150 km/h
Ceiling: 5000m
Duration: 20h
Takeoff/Landing Distance: 1000m/1200m
max. Video Link Radius: 200km
Old poster from one year ago.
Length: 11m
Height: 4.1m
max. Takeoff Weight: 4200 kg
max. Pylon Payload: 480 kg
max. Speed: 370 km/h
min. Speed: 150 km/h
Ceiling: 5000m
Duration: 20h
Takeoff/Landing Distance: 1000m/1200m
max. Video Link Radius: 200km
Old poster from one year ago.
CK-20 Supersonic Drone Concept (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
Length: 9.83m
Wingspan: 7.3m
Height: 2.3m
Takeoff Wight: 4800~5300kg
Service Ceiling: 18000m
max. Speed: 2200 km/h
Operational overload: +6g( instantaneous +9g)
All-band RCS reduction characteristics
Length: 9.83m
Wingspan: 7.3m
Height: 2.3m
Takeoff Wight: 4800~5300kg
Service Ceiling: 18000m
max. Speed: 2200 km/h
Operational overload: +6g( instantaneous +9g)
All-band RCS reduction characteristics
Those look like HJ-10 missiles, which are 50kg each. So 12 of those would be 600kg whereas the maximum advertised payload of this UCAV is only 480kg. The numbers and the photos don't add up. A more realistic number seems to be 8 HJ-10s on 4 hardpoints total.
The data of MQ-9 Reaper on wikipedia does not add up either.
For example, for MQ-9 1800 + 1700 (1760) + 2223 = 5423 (5483) > 4760, or 1800 + (680 + 340 + 68) + 2223 = 5111 > 4760
- Empty weight: 4,901 lb (2,223 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,494 lb (4,760 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 4,000 lb (1,800 kg)
- Payload: 3,800 lb (1,700 kg)
- Internal: 800 lb (360 kg)
- External: 3,000 lb (1,400 kg)
- Up to 1,500 lb (680 kg) on the two inboard weapons stations
- Up to 750 lb (340 kg) on the two middle stations
- Up to 150 lb (68 kg) on the outboard stations
- Center station not used
For example, for MQ-9 1800 + 1700 (1760) + 2223 = 5423 (5483) > 4760, or 1800 + (680 + 340 + 68) + 2223 = 5111 > 4760
This is a different math from the Pterodactyl-II.
Your math on the MQ-9 simply means that it cannot take off with both a maximum weapons load and a maximum fuel load at the same time. If the UCAV is completed loaded out with weapons it will just have to accept a fuel and range penalty.
The math on the Pterodactyl-II concerns only the maximum pylon weapons load, not anything else. The "maximum pylon payload" of this UCAV is "480kg" but the photo shows 12 HJ-10s weighing in at 600kg which seems to suggest that this UCAV's wings should technically not be able to handle 12 HJ-10s. Note that this is not the same thing as saying the UCAV in general cannot handle the load, only that the wings specifically have a max capacity of 480kg, or 240kg on each wing.
Probably my post was not clear. My post wasn't about suggesting 12 HJ-10s on Pterodactyl-II, but only my general uncertainty of interpreting these information.
If I understand it right, you assumed that I am confident of the figure 12 by bringing in MQ-9's "not adding up", therefor your reply against the 12. If so, it is only because of my post being confusing.
Too little is certain so, far, maybe, payload is restricted for foreign customers somehow ...
Turboprop UAVs, other than american one, bring the whole range of opportunities on the battlefield. But, regardless, if CH 4B payload is around 250-300 kg, turboprop payload should be at least 700 - 800 kg since the later has better weight - engine power ratio. Reaper comparation is not necessary, due to the range of reasons and childish
Turboprop UAVs, other than american one, bring the whole range of opportunities on the battlefield. But, regardless, if CH 4B payload is around 250-300 kg, turboprop payload should be at least 700 - 800 kg since the later has better weight - engine power ratio. Reaper comparation is not necessary, due to the range of reasons and childish
- Status