Unmanned aerial vehicles | UAVs | Page 5 | World Defense

Unmanned aerial vehicles | UAVs

silentwarfare

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One thing that can be an issue is if any of the drones malfunction mid-flight. I've heard that Lockheed and Raytheon have been experimenting with nuclear powered mini reactors aboard the military drones. If one of those crash lands, not only would it likely fall into the hands of someone they didn't want it to with that technology...but it could also be a serious radiation hazard and a threat to military and civilian lives if it happens to glitch and fall out (literally) over any major city on its way to being used somewhere.

Are all the current drones still using conventional fuel, or are they already doing this?
 

Scorpion

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Khafee

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China's largest reconnaissance and strike drone CH-5 conducted live-fire drill.

Payload of 1,000 kg, a maximum takeoff weight of over 3 tons, a service ceiling of 9 km, an endurance of up to 60 hours and a range of 10,000 km.

The drone can carry 16 missiles at a single time. There were also plans to extend its range up to 20,000 km.

CH-5 Rainbow was similar in performance to the US MQ-9 Reaper and "may come in at less than half the price." Compared to the Garrett_TPE331 turboprop engine mounted on the Reaper, CH-5 is equipped with an unidentified turbo-charged piston engine, with less than half the horse power.

This choice limits the maximum altitude of the CH-5 to 9 km compared to the 12–15 km of the Reaper, but it also extends CH-5's endurance to 60 hours compared to 14 hour of the Reaper's. Future blocks of CH-5 will be able to stay in the air for up to 120 hours.
 

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Northrop Grumman tapped to deliver three Triton UAVs
Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to acquire an initial production of three MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial aircraft.

By James LaPorta | Dec. 29, 2017
Northrop-Grumman-tapped-to-deliver-three-Triton-UAVs.jpg

(UPI) -- Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to acquire an initial production of three MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial aircraft.

The terms of the deal, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, come under a $255.3 million a fixed-price-incentive contract, which is a modification to a previously awarded contract.

A fixed-price-incentive contract uses a formula that determines the costs accumulated by Northrop Grumman and the final price the U.S. Navy will pay for the product, which may or may not be higher or lower than the original negotiated contract award.

With the contract in full swing, Northrop Grumman will provide three MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft, which includes trade studies and tooling, in support of the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office at Naval Air Station Patuxent in St. Mary's County, Md., where Naval Air Systems Command is headquartered.

The MQ-4C Triton is a derivative of the RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle.

The Triton has a range of over 9,000 miles and can hover for up to 24 hours before needing to refuel.

Triton is designed as a sensor platform for high-altitude, long-endurance surveillance missions over ocean and coastal areas, deploying its maritime radar, electro-optical and infrared cameras, communications relays and electronic support measures systems.

The Navy plans to use the Triton alongside the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft as the Navy's primary long-range aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform.

Navy officials have previously said they plan to purchase 68 Tritons as part of the drone fleet.

Work on the contract will be performed in multiple U.S. states, as well as Canada, and is expected to be completed by December 2021.

The total contract amount will be obligated to Northrop Grumman at the time of award contract, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

In November, Northrop Grumman delivered the first operational MQ-4C Trition aircraft to the U.S. Navy facility at Point Mugu.


https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/20...eliver-three-Triton-UAVs/9721514556707/?nll=1
 

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China deploying drones for 'surveillance and strikes'
By Elizabeth Shim | Dec. 29, 2017
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(UPI) -- The Chinese military is deploying a new generation of reconnaissance-attack drones that could neutralize the strategic effects of U.S. THAAD batteries in South Korea.

The People's Liberation Army Daily reported Friday the army has been deploying the Yilong-1 drone, and suggested deployment of the Yilong-2 could take place, following a successful flight test of the unmanned aerial vehicle on Feb. 27.

The Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute presided over the development of the Yilong-2.

The Chinese state-controlled newspaper said the drones can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance and strikes.

Analysts have said the unmanned aerial vehicles would soon be handed over to front-line military units for operations, according to South Korean news service Newsis.

China has competed against the United States and Israel in the drone market, and has offered cheaper defense exports to international buyers.

The Yilong-2 is priced at $1 million, a substantially lower price than the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper at $30 million.

The Yilong drones resemble the U.S.-manufactured MQ-1 Predator and was publicly unveiled for the first time at the 2012 Zhuhai Air Show in China.

The Yilong weighs 1.1 tons, has a 14-meter wingspan, can be equipped with six missiles, and can fly for more than 20 hours without stopping.

The deployment of the U.S. missile defense system on the Korean peninsula has been met with strong opposition from Beijing.

On Friday, Chinese state tabloid Global Times listed THAAD deployment as one of the "top 10" news items of 2017.

Other top news topics in China included North Korea's nuclear and missile tests, China's foreign policy initiatives, U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" policy and strained relations with Taiwan.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-...surveillance-and-strikes/5811514558053/?nll=1
 

Atalay

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predator.jpg



The Predator is one of the first UCAV's that the US fielded, according to open sources some 150 - 200 Predators have been constructed and fielded by the US air force.
The US air force plans to retire the Predator fleet in 2018 as they have the newer and more capable grey eagle and Reaper UCAV's.
For the US the Predator is too light, can carry not much load. Still the Predator UCAV is something that many countries would like to have. Our own ANKA is at Predator level and we have started to field them just recently.
The Question is what will the US do with those retired Predators? Will they give them away (just like the Kiowa's to Greece)? Giving hundred of predators for instance to Greece is a game changer, just food for thought.
 

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China's Wing Loong UAS creates record of "five hits in succession"
Source: Xinhua
2017-12-31
Editor: Mengjie


BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- China's newly-developed Wing Loong II UAS, a high-end reconnaissance-strike unmanned aerial system (UAS), has created a record "five hits in succession," its developer announced Sunday.

After multiple rounds of flight and firing tests, the Wing Loong II UAS has achieved a hit rate of 100 percent, said the state-owned aviation giant of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

"The Wing Loong II UAS has successfully hits five targets in succession with five different types of missiles in a single sortie, setting a new live firing record for Chinese UAS," AVIC said.

To date, the newly-developed reconnaissance-strike-integrated UAS has conducted firing tests with eight types of missiles and dozens of bombs, with a hit rate of 100 percent.

The Wing Loong II UAS is a China-developed new generation of long endurance reconnaissance-strike-integrated UAS by AVIC's Chengdu Aircraft Design & Research Institute (CADI).

The system is composed of the ground station and various numbers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

It successfully completed its maiden flight in northwestern China on Feb. 27 this year, showing that China was capable of developing large-scale reconnaissance-strike UAS to international standards.

Within 10 months of its maiden flight, multiple live firing tests had been conducted in accordance with the requirement of its customers, including stationary targets, moving targets, time sensitive targets and air-ground coordination.

Meanwhile, the Wing Loong II UAS has successfully conducted the "control of two vehicles with one station," which had never been achieved by a Chinese UAS before.

According to CADI, in the 10-month flight tests, the Wing Loong II UAS accomplished a series of flight missions to verify the UAS platform, payload, weapons and ground control station.

"All the performance specifications of Wing Loong II UAS are validated comprehensively through high-intensity and concentrated flight tests, which shows that it has met user requirements and possesses full operational capability," CADI said.

"Seven years after its launch on the market, the Wing Loong series has been successfully equipped by multiple users, going through tests in various severe environments," said Ji Xiaoguang, CADI president. "It has realized operation normalization, been used in actual combat, and made remarkable achievements. It has earned a good reputation in many countries and established brand recognition of Chinese 'Wing Loong' worldwide."

The Wing Loong II UAS has already obtained the largest order of Chinese advanced large-scale UAVs in the overseas market, even before its maiden flight.

To date, Wing Loong I and II UAS have realized high quality and quick delivery as per contract requirements signed with foreign customers. Both have accomplished long-distance handovers to execute missions, according to CADI.

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/31/c_136863482.htm

 

Khafee

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https://quwa.org/category/country-portfolio/

CHENGDU WING LOONG II SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGES FIVE TARGETS IN ONE SORTIE
by Bilal Khan-
Jan 03, 2018

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) announced that the Chengdu Wing Loong II armed drone successfully engaged five different targets in succession in a single sortie, China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported on December 31.

Citing AVIC, Xinhua stated that the Wing Loong II “achieved a hit rate of 100 percent” against “five targets in succession with five different types of missiles in a single sortie.”

Designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute (CADI) and marketed by AVIC, the Wing Loong II is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Wing Loong II is an improved variant of the original Wing Loong, which first flew in 2007.

According to Xinhua, Chengdu had put the Wing Loong II through different tests, including live firing tests against fixed and moving targets as well as in time-sensitive targeting scenarios. Citing CADI, Xinhua claims that the Wing Loong II is the first Chinese UAV platform wherein one station can operate two vehicles.

Lauding the Wing Loong II, CADI’s president, Ji Xiaoguang was quoted stating that the Wing Loong-series “has realized operation normalization, been used in actual combat, and made remarkable achievements.”

AVIC formally revealed the Wing Loong II in November 2016. Chengdu conducted the UAV’s maiden test flight in February 2017. The Wing Loong II has a payload of 400 kg available for air-to-surface munitions and/or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, such as electro-optical and infrared turrets. It has an endurance of 32 hours, top speed of 370 km/h and service ceiling of nearly 30,000 ft.

The Wing Loong II among several Chinese MALE UAV designs available on the market, with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-4B being its main competitor. Xinhua reports that the Wing Loong II achieved the “largest order of Chinese advanced large-scale UAVs in the overseas market” prior to its maiden test flight. Neither AVIC or CADI revealed the customer.

Prospective Wing Loong II customers can include existing Wing Loong users, such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Kazakhstan. In September 2016, Arab News reported that Saudi Arabia signed a deal with China for the Wing Loong. In June 2016, Pakistan had conducted an “experimental flight” of an unspecified UAV that bore a strong resemblance to the Wing Loong.

https://quwa.org/2018/01/03/chengdu-wing-loong-ii-successfully-engages-five-targets-in-one-sortie/
 
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