PLAAF fighter UCAV
- Thread starter planeman
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"Invisible sword", China's pilotless aircraft
A concept model of a pilotless combat aircraft was unveiled by China Aviation Industry Corpration I (CAIC1) during the 6th Int'l Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition held in South China's Zhuhai. The aircraft, dubbed "Anjian" (Invisible Sword), is being designed by CAIC1's Shenyang Aeroplane Design Institution for future aerial combat, according to an introduction by CAIC1.
A concept model of a pilotless combat aircraft was unveiled by China Aviation Industry Corpration I (CAIC1) during the 6th Int'l Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition held in South China's Zhuhai. The aircraft, dubbed "Anjian" (Invisible Sword), is being designed by CAIC1's Shenyang Aeroplane Design Institution for future aerial combat, according to an introduction by CAIC1.
Like the sign says, it's a concept. So i don't believe anyone should take it too seriously. If it does turn from concept to actual project, perhaps in 10-15 years time we can see some prototypes being tested. Then they'd be changed and modified to fit the new technologies, naturally.
Violet Oboe
Junior Member
Well of course PLAAF´s new UCAV will certainly not look like this model since the whole thing is probably intended as a little PR gag. Similar models and renderings were prolific in the late 80´s and early 90´s and current actual USAF UAV´s and UCAV prototypes are indeed quite different in design.
Interestingly in late 03/ early 04 there were some rumours flying around that China had some stealthy technology demonstrators in the air and some mysterious but heavily ps´ed pics were posted on mainland forums. Most of this posts were maintaining that these aircraft were unmanned and that their development had highest priority. Only time will tell whether that was sheer imagination or perhaps some little bits of true information. Nevertheless China has probably reached the necessary tech level for developing a capable UCAV demonstrator/prototype.
Already flying are several prototypes of Global Hawk-like UAV´s and latest news indicate that China is developing an entire family of advanced UAV´s based on this design. After a probable introduction of this capable unmanned aircraft around 2008-10 China will have surpassed Russia and France regarding their respective UAV capabilities and this would certainly be no mean feat taking China´s backward UAV tech of the early 90´s into account. :coffee:
Interestingly in late 03/ early 04 there were some rumours flying around that China had some stealthy technology demonstrators in the air and some mysterious but heavily ps´ed pics were posted on mainland forums. Most of this posts were maintaining that these aircraft were unmanned and that their development had highest priority. Only time will tell whether that was sheer imagination or perhaps some little bits of true information. Nevertheless China has probably reached the necessary tech level for developing a capable UCAV demonstrator/prototype.
Already flying are several prototypes of Global Hawk-like UAV´s and latest news indicate that China is developing an entire family of advanced UAV´s based on this design. After a probable introduction of this capable unmanned aircraft around 2008-10 China will have surpassed Russia and France regarding their respective UAV capabilities and this would certainly be no mean feat taking China´s backward UAV tech of the early 90´s into account. :coffee:
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oringo
Junior Member
These pictures were also seen from
However, the title of the article is "deserted concept plan." It's just something for show, not really in development. Think about it, given Chinese's secrecy attitude with J-10, would they really show a model in development in an air show?
However, the title of the article is "deserted concept plan." It's just something for show, not really in development. Think about it, given Chinese's secrecy attitude with J-10, would they really show a model in development in an air show?