MwRYum
Major
Re: Somali pirates and Chinese Navy
What he meant probably is that stationing UAVs overseas is a sensitive issue, not necessary good for China overall in such global climate.
If to deploy UAV, the best is to:
1. have something with endurance akin to Global Hawk, launch from China, flew over Pakistan and enter station along the convoy route - so far, something like that haven't test flight yet.
2. tactical UAV launch from the ship's deck (RATO kit for takeoff and net recovery), they've something like that serving in the army and a few models displayed as early in Zhuhai Airshow 2008. However, there has been nothing said about PLAN operate UAV from naval platform - though technologically not difficult, for they've done things far cruder in terms of adapting things for land use onto naval platform (artillery pieces onto LST, for one), but like I've pointed out earlier, the UAV suite would compete space with helicopters on frigates and destroyers, unless the mothership is a 071 LPD.
Now, the PLAN expedition's duty is predominantly convoy protection, primary model is the whole expedition (usually 2 destroyers/frigates + 1 AO ship) protect a convoy, helicopter performs the role of fast action platform; meanwhile the Somali pirates operates from modified fishing trawlers with scores of smaller boats, and they'd target one ship at a time; so far they still form an attack pack in one direction and could be detected at the horizon by the navy, which could react accordingly. Since even the UN resolution doesn't give discretion in using force, worse pirates and fishermen are one and the same, they can't do a thing until the pirates make their move.
So in such common scenario, UAV ain't necessary provide actionable intel, if not provide too much information to filter through...besides, think the PLAN would be more kin to give their pilots more flight hours to clock up this way.
What he meant probably is that stationing UAVs overseas is a sensitive issue, not necessary good for China overall in such global climate.
If to deploy UAV, the best is to:
1. have something with endurance akin to Global Hawk, launch from China, flew over Pakistan and enter station along the convoy route - so far, something like that haven't test flight yet.
2. tactical UAV launch from the ship's deck (RATO kit for takeoff and net recovery), they've something like that serving in the army and a few models displayed as early in Zhuhai Airshow 2008. However, there has been nothing said about PLAN operate UAV from naval platform - though technologically not difficult, for they've done things far cruder in terms of adapting things for land use onto naval platform (artillery pieces onto LST, for one), but like I've pointed out earlier, the UAV suite would compete space with helicopters on frigates and destroyers, unless the mothership is a 071 LPD.
Now, the PLAN expedition's duty is predominantly convoy protection, primary model is the whole expedition (usually 2 destroyers/frigates + 1 AO ship) protect a convoy, helicopter performs the role of fast action platform; meanwhile the Somali pirates operates from modified fishing trawlers with scores of smaller boats, and they'd target one ship at a time; so far they still form an attack pack in one direction and could be detected at the horizon by the navy, which could react accordingly. Since even the UN resolution doesn't give discretion in using force, worse pirates and fishermen are one and the same, they can't do a thing until the pirates make their move.
So in such common scenario, UAV ain't necessary provide actionable intel, if not provide too much information to filter through...besides, think the PLAN would be more kin to give their pilots more flight hours to clock up this way.
