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Military Aspects of the Air Show China 2008
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
So far the Chinese aerospace industry has only successfully developed two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV): the WZ-5 based on the 1970s U.S. AQM-34N Firebee technology and the ASN-206 based on Israeli UAV designs. This year’s Zhuhai air show featured scores of UAV concepts and designs introduced by different Chinese aerospace companies, but most of them had little hope of becoming reality. One design known as “Yilong” appears to be similar to the Predator RQ-1 in size. It was reported that the UAV development began in May 2005 and the maiden flight took place in October 2007. The UAV is powered by a 100hp piston engine. The UAV has a top speed of 240km/h, a service ceiling of 5,000m, and a maximum flight duration of 20 hours. The maximum take off weight is 1,150kg and the mission payload is 200kg. Another smaller tactical reconnaissance UAV known as “Dufeng-II” has a flight endurance of 1 hour and a maximum speed of 65km/h. The electric-powered propeller UAV can be carried and launched by a single soldier, who can control the UAV using his helmet-mounted sight via an upward datalink.
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| Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Scores of UAV concepts were unveiled in this year’s Zhuhai air show. (Top-left) Yilong reconnaissance UAV developed by CAC; (Top-right) Tactical reconnaissance UAV developed by Beihang University; (Middle-left) SH-1 UAV; (Middle-right) Dufeng-II tactical reconnaissance UAV; (Bottom) UAV-borne air-to-surface missile concept (Photo: Duncan Yum and FYJS) |
Anti-Ship Missiles
Over the years, the China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation (CASIC) has developed a range of sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, including the C-801, C-802, C-602, and the smaller C-701 series. This year’s Zhuhai air show featured several new members of these families. The C-705 air-launched anti-ship missile is the latest variant of the C-701 series, featuring a maximum range of 75km without the rocket-booster, or 170km when fitted with a rocket –booster. Using a GPS/inertial seeker, the missile carries a 110kg warhead and flies at an attitude of 12.15m above the sea level. The missile is designed to sink a small surface combatant of 1,000~1,500t displacement. The C-704KD was described as an air-to-surface missile similar to the U.S. AGM-65 Maverick in size and performance. Additionally, the Hongdu Aviation Industry Group of AVIC has also displayed its own TianLong (TL) series air-to-ship missiles.
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