Chinese UAV/UCAV development

xyqq said:

A little bit doubtful about the need for the disposable tail cone, as the carrier (H-6) is subsonic.

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In theory, the cones are installed in a subsonic version, I believe to reduce vibration from the incoming flow. For example, on launchers for Hydra and Zuni. And then somewhere there was an image where the WZ-8 was under the cover and the outlines of the rear cone were guessed there.

SinoSoldier said:

Higher resolution photo:

Seems that the weapons of some of the UCAVs are displayed as well.

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Can anyone identify the object next to Divine Eagle's left fuselage? I've seen speculations on Chinese forums that it may be a radar, but cant be sure if that's actually the case

As per the published paper below, after the carrier plane (H-6) releases WZ-8, there is a short-period of "steep climb" and then a sustained high-altitude cruise (Fig. 2). This almost confirms the use of booster/acceleration rockets (probably solid propellent) in addition to its main engines (liquid propellent). Then, the tail cone is helpful when the booster rockets accelerate WZ-8 to supersonic speed and push it to high altitude before the main engines start.

AkelaFreedom said:

In theory, the cones are installed in a subsonic version, I believe to reduce vibration from the incoming flow. For example, on launchers for Hydra and Zuni. And then somewhere there was an image where the WZ-8 was under the cover and the outlines of the rear cone were guessed there.

Click to expand...

xyqq said:

As per the published paper below, after the carrier plane (H-6) releases WZ-8, there is a short-period of "steep climb" and then a sustained high-altitude cruise (Fig. 2). This almost confirms the use of booster/acceleration rockets (probably solid propellent) in addition to its main engines (liquid propellent). Then, the tail cone is helpful when the booster rockets accelerate WZ-8 to supersonic speed and push it to high altitude before the main engines start.

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Thanks. So my assumptions on the presence of a cone were correct. It would be nice to find images of booster / acceleration rockets, then I could create them in 3D and add to the model.

Yes, the tail cone is a brilliant idea.
Regarding the booster/acceleration rockets, the closest image that I can find is the external tanks of X-15A-2. The solid rockets that WZ-8 uses are probably slimmer, but their head cones may be of the similar shape.

AkelaFreedom said:

Thanks. So my assumptions on the presence of a cone were correct. It would be nice to find images of booster / acceleration rockets, then I could create them in 3D and add to the model.

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Painting robots at the AVIC facility that produces the EA-03.

xyqq said:

As per the published paper below, after the carrier plane (H-6) releases WZ-8, there is a short-period of "steep climb" and then a sustained high-altitude cruise (Fig. 2). This almost confirms the use of booster/acceleration rockets (probably solid propellent) in addition to its main engines (liquid propellent). Then, the tail cone is helpful when the booster rockets accelerate WZ-8 to supersonic speed and push it to high altitude before the main engines start.



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I don't think you can reach this conclusion from the paper you attached. That paper indicated "rocket engine start at the release from the carrier aircraft and rocket engine shut down at the end of mission". Neither this diagram nor any texts indicated separate boosters.

It is not appropriate to use X-15 to support the "booster" theory either. X-15 is designed with a top speed of Mach 6.7 which is hyper-sonic in the same class as DF-17. WZ-8 is unlikely designed for hypersonic by looking at its shape. Keep in mind, the national parade presenter never said hyper-sonic, but only high speed, maybe around Mach 2 or 3. Its big wing body gives it a good gliding capability to return at the end of rocket burn, shown by the diagram in your post. The big wing span prevent it to go hyper-sonic which in term make boosters unnecessary.

xyqq said:

Yes, the tail cone is a brilliant idea.
Regarding the booster/acceleration rockets, the closest image that I can find is the external tanks of X-15A-2. The solid rockets that WZ-8 uses are probably slimmer, but their head cones may be of the similar shape.

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And maybe they will be similar to the one used for the D-21.
I think it's worth the wait until photos with boosters directly for VZ-8 appear.

AkelaFreedom said:

And maybe they will be similar to the one used for the D-21.
I think it's worth the wait until photos with boosters directly for VZ-8 appear.

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The wait for a flight mission picture can be quite long (e.g. 5 years) for WZ-8 considering its secret level.
The reason for WZ-8 not to use a single large centerline rocket like D-21's is probably due to the ground clearance issue.
The underwing rockets are likely to be a little bit shorter than the wing length for aerodynamic consideration.

xyqq said:

The wait for a flight mission picture can be quite long (e.g. 5 years) for WZ-8 considering its secret level.
The reason for WZ-8 not to use a single large centerline rocket like D-21's is probably due to the ground clearance issue.
The underwing rockets are likely to be a little bit shorter than the wing length for aerodynamic consideration.

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No, I didn’t put it right, I meant that perhaps the shape of the accelerators may be similar to the one that the accelerator has in the D-21, and not that there should be only one accelerator. And I am confused by the fact that the area where the accelerators of the WZ-8 are suspended crosses the hatches of the chassis. It turns out that accelerators can only be installed after the WZ-8 is installed on the H-6N. Well, let's hope that we still do not have to wait so long for photos