Chinese UCAV/CCA/Loyal Wingman (sensor, A2A and A2G) thread
- Thread starter VESSEL
- Start date
Wasn't this only supposed to be some flight control surface/avionics demonstrator and not an actual aircraft model?could be something similar to this, who knows.
picture too blurry.
Also the outline doesn't really match the MD-22.
I believe the image may be too blurry to definitively figure out what it is, but based on some rudimentary pixel measurements, I got it's length to be roughly 11.8m long and 6.7m wide, Very near the estimated size of the WZ-8 Drone. So it's either a very blurry WZ-8 or I believe a WZ-8 iteration or successor
FriedRiceNSpice
Captain
Rather than relying on H-6s which limits the operational flexibility of the platform, what is the likelihood and engineering difficulty associated with the development of a future WZ-8 derived platform capable of self-takeoff, leveraging either rocket assisted launch and/or land based EM catapults?
The WZ-8 is known to be a cheap, low risk approach to an stealth high speed recon UAV using liquid rocket propulsion. It make sense its jet powered successor will be developed. I also want to note that the H-6 launching configuration essentially requires a flying wing design as there are no space for vertical stabilizers.
Operationally, loyal wingmen are best used when they can take off and land on their own. As they might be needed on a short notice and in numbers that H6 launches simply can't provide.
That's why a dedicated space plane or a recon plane sounds more plausible. Definitely something that needs a carrier plane to act as a first stage booster, pointing to high altitude work.
That's why a dedicated space plane or a recon plane sounds more plausible. Definitely something that needs a carrier plane to act as a first stage booster, pointing to high altitude work.
lcloo
Captain
WZ-8 is probably developed based on inspiration from USAF/CIA D-21B supersonic recogn drone that crashed in Yunan in 1971. WZ-8 is not a copy of D-21B but they are both supersonic high altitude drone that gathers intelligence. D-21B were dropped from B-52 bomber which act as carrier aircraft.
After the 1971 crash in Yunan, all D-21B operation is said to be stopped due to its unsatisfactory performance.
After the 1971 crash in Yunan, all D-21B operation is said to be stopped due to its unsatisfactory performance.
FL-2, either full scale model or real thing!
Is that even a loyal wingman, though, or a UCAV? Was not FL-2 announced as a transport drone and generally as a demonstrator project?
I guess it could also be used as a tanker or even a bomb carrier.
Though, given the company which is allegedly behind the project, the hong Tian Guide Control Technology Co Ltd, which doesn't seem to have lots of experience with complex drones - one might expect this to be a mockup. For something this complex they might be better served seeking cooperation with one of the more experienced drone and aircraft making companies.
I guess it could also be used as a tanker or even a bomb carrier.
Though, given the company which is allegedly behind the project, the hong Tian Guide Control Technology Co Ltd, which doesn't seem to have lots of experience with complex drones - one might expect this to be a mockup. For something this complex they might be better served seeking cooperation with one of the more experienced drone and aircraft making companies.