Ba-5B target drone converted from the J-5 subsonic fighter (Source: Chinese Internet)
Last updated: 9 December 2007
The Ba-5 target drone was based on the J-5, a Chinese copy of the Soviet MiG-17 (NATO codename: Fresco) subsonic fighter. The target drone has the original pilot seat in the cockpit removed to provide additional space for the automated flight control system. Several hundred retired J-5s are believed to have been converted air-to-air and surface-to-air missile testing.
Additionally, the PLA Air Force is believed to be exploring the possibility of using the unmanned Ba-5 drone for ground attack role. The aircraft simply serves as a ‘cruise missile’ by flying to the target zone and then plunge into a large area target such as airport or depot.
Ba-5 Ground Attack UAV: PLAAF ground crew examining what was described as a "supersonic unmanned ground attack aerial vehicle" (Source: BQZS)
