China unveiled a new reconnaissance and strike unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at Airshow China 2024. The UCAV outwardly resembles China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's (CASC's) CH-9 UCAV. (Janes/Sam Wise)
A new unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) shown at Airshow China 2024 may potentially be a replacement for older variants of the Wing Loong series of unmanned platforms in Chinese air force service.
The new UCAV, which was displayed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) at the biennial defence show at Zhuhai, appeared outwardly similar to the Aerospace Long-March International Trade Company Ltd (ALIT)/China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-5C/CH-9 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV.
The PLAAF officially labelled the platform as a new type of “reconnaissance and strike” UCAV, without specifying its designation. The UCAV was also displayed with PLA insignia and appeared in an uncharacteristic light grey colour scheme.
According to the state-owned newspaper, Global Times, the UCAV is capable of conducting tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and attack operations.
Citing the PLAAF, the newspaper added that the UCAV can be equipped with “optoelectronic reconnaissance equipment, synthetic aperture radar, [and] communication and reconnaissance systems”. According to the PLAAF, the UCAV is capable of attacking “fixed, mobile, and time-sensitive targets on the ground and on water surface”, the newspaper said.
According to the Global Times, the new UCAV will provide the PLAAF with improved capabilities over the existing Wing Loong-2 (WL-2) armed reconnaissance UAV. However, the new UCAV has a five-bladed turboprop engine, unlike the three-bladed propeller of the WL-2.
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