Chinese UCAV/CCA/flying wing drones (ISR, A2A, A2G) thread

[Mearex]

The very smooth and highly polished appearance was a requirement from higher up. In CAC and SAC's opinion these aircrafts have not yet reached a stage where such care and attention to detail are required. But the order from above was slick and aesthetic appearance was also a requirement for displaying such advanced aircrafts so they insisted on it much to CAC and SAC's annoyance

Can you explain this part? What is that "stage"? Why shouldn't one always try to achieve a smooth finish on a fighter?

 

[Kejora]

Can you explain this part? What is that "stage"? Why shouldn't one always try to achieve a smooth finish on a fighter?

It probably still being revised and modified after testing so the finish doesn't need to be super nice. Kinda like Russian T-50 demonstrator that have loose panels and worse finish compared to production Su-57.

 

[kwaigonegin]

And just to say, the more i look at the UADFs the more awesome they look, especially the potential they offer, if you slap a cockpit on one or both you have a very formidable light 6th gen fighter with minimal changes, perfect for export (because i assume there will be decades ahead in which most countries would not afford UADFs or heavy 6th gen fighters). Also how about a STOVL out of them? They are single engine so that is a start. I wonder if they were designed with this kind of flexibility/modularity in mind.

LOL NO! it wouldn't be.minimal changes! You cant just bore a hold, stick a canopy on top and turn it into a manned fighter. It doesn't work like that.

 

[Deino]

I just saw this collection of all shown and not shown CCA/UCAVs on FB and even if I agree with the first ones, I‘m still not sure about the maybe third large delta …

But when was this one shown (second image)?

At least I don‘t remember it … if legit, then there was yet another one?

 

[mack8]

LOL NO! it wouldn't be.minimal changes! You cant just bore a hold, stick a canopy on top and turn it into a manned fighter. It doesn't work like that.

I was basing my speculation on the fact that f.e. there are UCAV versions mulled for T-75 and various NGAD/FA-XX projects and probably others as well (B-21 unmanned variant contemplated iirc?). A T-75 UCAV would be more or less in the same weight/power class as the chinese UADFs. So while the above projects seems to stem from manned aircraft, it is not unreasonable to assume that the possibility of manned versions of the CAC/SAC would not have been considered, as i said imo the driver for that would be primarily exports or perhaps VTOL (for which there are signs suggesting VTOL fighters are seriously contemplate).

Previously it was argued that for such a manned single engine 6th gen a clean sheet project would be needed, but given the multitude of very advanced airframes being worked on in China right now, at least two 6th gen and 2 or 3 UADFs, yet another clean sheet design might probably not the most indicated use of design resources, perhaps it's better to make maximum use of existing airframe elements (not unlike T-75 came to be).

To be clear, i don't know if manned versions of the UADF were contemplated and/or whether a single engine export 6th gen fighter is being considered (not unlike the JF-17 project in scope f.e.), but this is a possibility we shouldn't discount and should keep an eye out for.

 

[bsdnf]

I just saw this collection of all shown and not shown CCA/UCAVs on FB and even if I agree with the first ones, I‘m still not sure about the maybe third large delta …

But when was this one shown (second image)?

At least I don‘t remember it … if legit, then there was yet another one?

View attachment 160476View attachment 160477

Where did this picture come from? I've never seen it before either

 

[mack8]

I would say the lambda wing tailed one is PS, if there was such a UCAV before or during the parade would have been undoubtedly photographed.

 

[siegecrossbow]

I just saw this collection of all shown and not shown CCA/UCAVs on FB and even if I agree with the first ones, I‘m still not sure about the maybe third large delta …

But when was this one shown (second image)?

At least I don‘t remember it … if legit, then there was yet another one?

View attachment 160476View attachment 160477

Maybe during the practice. A lot of gear weren’t displayed due to time limit.

 

[Tomboy]

I would say the lambda wing tailed one is PS, if there was such a UCAV before or during the parade would have been undoubtedly photographed.

 

[mack8]

Judging by the wing, that looks more like one of the FH-97 like UCAVs, Type C or D. It's probably the one shown, Type D, the other one not shown, Type C, was in the second row (not seen here) in that sat pic.