Chinese UAV/UCAV development

By Liu Xuanzun. Source: Global Times Published: 2020/9/10 18:22:00


Chinese armored vehicles and a drone swarm conduct utilization training. Photo: Screenshot from cctv.com

China has successfully tested a new combat system that integrates armored vehicles and drone swarms, Chinese media reported on Wednesday. This technology will allow armored troops to acquire more battlefield information and launch deadly attacks, analysts said on Thursday.

The integrated drone swarm-armored vehicle combat system made its public debut in a statement recently released by its developer, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), reported Weihutang, a China Central Television program on military affairs, on Wednesday.

In May, an undisclosed unit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a series of utilization training with this system, which was successful, Weihutang reported, citing the CASIC statement.

Drone swarm technology is an important trend, as mass-produced drones are of low cost, can cover a wide area, and are flexible and expendable, the report said.

Citing a plan released by the US Department of Defense in 2018, Weihutang said that the US is aiming to use drone swarms to cover ground troops by engaging in reconnaissance, close-range aerial support and communications relay, adding that China has also been studying similar approaches, and has tested a swarm of 67 drones in 2016.

A Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday that it is normal for militaries around the world to test similar technologies, given its potential to give them an advantage. By releasing an interconnected drone swarm, the armored vehicle on the ground can understand the battlefield situation much faster than using only a single drone, not to mention lowering the risk of casualties compared with sending human troops.

Drones can also be armed or launch suicide attacks, which will give the commanding vehicle a very deadly way to attack, the expert said, noting that the swarm means there would be many coordinated drones at their disposal, and it would be very difficult to intercept all of them.

Anyone with an idea what type of or concept of UAV/UCAV this is?

(Image via @航空工业气动院 from Weixin)

Here is the write up on the PLA utilizing drone to supply front line troop with ration

PLA Tibet military command adopts drones for logistics support in drills amid China-India border clash
By Zhang Hui Source: Global Times Published: 2020/9/11 9:46:06


00:00:00 / 01:01



The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Tibet Military Command recently adopted UAVs — or drones — to provide logistics support for its troops that are currently stationed at an elevation of 4,500 meters completing exercise drills, with some military analysts believing the decision to employ such innovative technologies showcases the PLA’s new modernized logistics support means while also exhibiting that China is prepared for potential conflict while engaging in negotiations with India.

In a video released by China Central Television, PLA logistics soldiers were seen transporting hot food with ground vehicles. In locations where the road was blocked, however, they packed the food, water and medicine, before putting them into several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that automatically delivered the “care packages” to front-line soldiers.

The drills explored new logistics support modes by combining both ground and aerial means. Such logistics support could be vital if the PLA soldiers were forced to engage in military conflict.

Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Friday that logistics such as those on display in the drill are key for soldiers’ performance in military conflicts, and logistics support can be very difficult in complex plateau areas.

As such, they would require multiple methods to provide support including UAVs and other aviation equipment.

Drones can be employed to quickly make delivery at designated points, improving the PLA’s combat effectiveness, Song said.

The video also showed that China is preparing for further potential military conflicts while continuing to engage in military and diplomatic negotiations with India, Song said.

The use of UAVs is an important embodiment of future unmanned warfare. UAVs can provide assistance in both combat missions and logistics support, and the PLA has shown its desire to take advantage of the drones to prepare for future military conflict, Song said.

Deino said:

Anyone with an idea what type of or concept of UAV/UCAV this is?

(Image via @航空工业气动院 from Weixin)

View attachment 63419

Click to expand...

Appears to be a stealthy drone for strike purposes.

Tam said:

Appears to be a stealthy drone for strike purposes.

Click to expand...

Well it's a flying wing drone with stealthy properties.

I don't think we see anything on it that suggests it has or hasn't got a strike capability -- for all we know it could be primarily a recce UAV.

Deino said:

Anyone with an idea what type of or concept of UAV/UCAV this is?

(Image via @航空工业气动院 from Weixin)

View attachment 63419

Click to expand...

Probably a subsonic surveillance drone with strike capabilities. May have high-endurance so as to persist over a hostile area to reconnoiter, make opportunistic strikes, and designate targets for other assets. I wonder if that nozzle is round (i.e. not optimized for stealth) or if that's part of the test fixture.

Errys said:

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

By Liu Xuanzun. Source: Global Times Published: 2020/9/10 18:22:00

Chinese armored vehicles and a drone swarm conduct utilization training. Photo: Screenshot from cctv.com

China has successfully tested a new combat system that integrates armored vehicles and drone swarms, Chinese media reported on Wednesday. This technology will allow armored troops to acquire more battlefield information and launch deadly attacks, analysts said on Thursday.

The integrated drone swarm-armored vehicle combat system made its public debut in a statement recently released by its developer, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), reported Weihutang, a China Central Television program on military affairs, on Wednesday.

In May, an undisclosed unit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a series of utilization training with this system, which was successful, Weihutang reported, citing the CASIC statement.

Drone swarm technology is an important trend, as mass-produced drones are of low cost, can cover a wide area, and are flexible and expendable, the report said.

Citing a plan released by the US Department of Defense in 2018, Weihutang said that the US is aiming to use drone swarms to cover ground troops by engaging in reconnaissance, close-range aerial support and communications relay, adding that China has also been studying similar approaches, and has tested a swarm of 67 drones in 2016.

A Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday that it is normal for militaries around the world to test similar technologies, given its potential to give them an advantage. By releasing an interconnected drone swarm, the armored vehicle on the ground can understand the battlefield situation much faster than using only a single drone, not to mention lowering the risk of casualties compared with sending human troops.

Drones can also be armed or launch suicide attacks, which will give the commanding vehicle a very deadly way to attack, the expert said, noting that the swarm means there would be many coordinated drones at their disposal, and it would be very difficult to intercept all of them.

Click to expand...

Further reinforces the point that unmanned platforms are the future of warfare. Sixth generation fighters should be unmanned air to air UCAVs.

Deino said:

Anyone with an idea what type of or concept of UAV/UCAV this is?

(Image via @航空工业气动院 from Weixin)

View attachment 63419

Click to expand...

Does the FL-8 logo imply anything? Not sure about its size but I suggest the belly bay is enough for two precision strike munitions.

SteelBird said:

Does the FL-8 logo imply anything? Not sure about its size but I suggest the belly bay is enough for two precision strike munitions.

Click to expand...

FL-8 is the wind-tunnel it is being tested in.

There is some discussion on PDF as to the practicality of using UAV to drop ration to the troop Some forummer wonder whether dropping it from that height will damage the food Well CCTV just release a better video showing how it is drop. Apparently this is a test and the dropping height is not that high