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

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ACuriousPLAFan

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00CuriousObserver said:
What is the purpose of the structure (?) on the ground?

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Those structures are most likely just overhead shade nettings that provide some degrees of shading from the sun to the engineers and technicians that are working on the aircraft (mainly for non-extended durations) while not requiring the aircraft to be parked inside a hangar.
 
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ACuriousPLAFan

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
Speaking of which:

00CuriousObserver said:
This plane is interesting... Seems to have a wing span of ~30m and a length of ~20m, maybe a bit less

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What designation should we give for this new unknown UAV model?

Perhaps WR-X1? With the following reasonings for this (type of) designation:
- "WR" representing 无人 (wu2ren2), i.e. unmanned;
- "X" denoting the new/unknown/unidentified type/model status for the aircraft;
- "1" means the 1st in a series (with subsequent new additions of models/types that are expected to follow).

This (type of) designation takes the fact that we have no idea on the expected roles/mission suites of this new UAV into consideration.

@Blitzo @Deino any ideas?
 
Blitzo

Blitzo

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ACuriousPLAFan said:
Speaking of which:



What designation should we give for this new unknown UAV model?

Perhaps WR-X1? With the following reasonings for this (type of) designation:
- "WR" representing 无人 (wu2ren2), i.e. unmanned;
- "X" denoting the new/unknown/unidentified type/model status for the aircraft;
- "1" means the 1st in a series (with subsequent new additions of models/types that are expected to follow).

This (type of) designation takes the fact that we have no idea on the expected roles/mission suites of this new UAV into consideration.

@Blitzo @Deino any ideas?
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Tbh I think we can just call it "random UAV-1" or something.

We don't even have a clear image of it like we did with GJ-X, WZ-X last year because it is under a cover, so giving it a Chinese language acronym (and making it seem more worthy/legitimate than it may be) could be a stretch.

GJ-X and WZ-X also have the distinction of being likely intended for PLA use, given their scale. OTOH Malan has been used to test some other industry UAVs that do not end up in PLA service.

Imo until the Chinese language side mentions that airframe in a meaningful way it might be better to just chuck it into the box of "additional random UAV"
 
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ACuriousPLAFan

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Blitzo said:
GJ-X and WZ-X also have the distinction of being likely intended for PLA use, given their scale. OTOH Malan has been used to test some other industry UAVs that do not end up in PLA service.
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Though, weren't the GJ-X and WZ-X also spotted at Malan? I don't recall seeing them at bases other than Malan (based on what OSINT sources can offer, that is).
 
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mack8

Senior Member
Has anyone done a sketch yet of the newly observed WR-X? I can't quite make it's planform, especially the rear area.
 
Blitzo

Blitzo

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ACuriousPLAFan said:
Though, weren't the GJ-X and WZ-X also spotted at Malan? I don't recall seeing them at bases other than Malan (based on what OSINT sources can offer, that is).
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Yes, they are of course at Malan.

My point is that being at Malan alone is not necessarily indicative of intention for PLA service, because they had tested other UAVs there as well which have not ended up in meaningful PLA service.

In the case of WZ-X and GJ-X, it is their size (as well as being at Malan) which makes them more likely to be intended for PLA service because it is unlikely projects of such ambition would be pursued without PLA backing.


So for this mysterious UAV, it is of a size and configuration that is odd and lacking any other corroborating information or rumours so probably better just to acknowledge its existence but avoid giving it a permanent moniker yet.
 
Deino

Deino

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ACuriousPLAFan said:
Speaking of which:



What designation should we give for this new unknown UAV model?

Perhaps WR-X1? With the following reasonings for this (type of) designation:
- "WR" representing 无人 (wu2ren2), i.e. unmanned;
- "X" denoting the new/unknown/unidentified type/model status for the aircraft;
- "1" means the 1st in a series (with subsequent new additions of models/types that are expected to follow).

This (type of) designation takes the fact that we have no idea on the expected roles/mission suites of this new UAV into consideration.

@Blitzo @Deino any ideas?
Click to expand...


Well, I think an additional system besides the already established WZ-X and GJ-X series as well the Type-X CCAs would add even more confusion.
The problem is, there are so many different types of UAVs/UCAVs/CCAs and/or testbeds from various manufacturer, academies and universities, private enterprises that at least i for me find it hard to differ between actual PLAAF programs like the GJ/WZ-X types, demonstrators from various state-owned companies and what are private types. For example we found just a few weeks ago yet another one very similar to the XQ-67A at a base called Pucheng Neifu ... and similar such "things" seem to pop up regularly from time to time.

Otherwise I am completely overwhelmed with grading and exams at school, so—regrettably—I am unable to delve into this deeply enough.
 
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