Is China Leading the Way in Drone Technology?
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Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been incorporated more deeply into the military all over the world during the past 20 years. These systems' responsibilities include everything from bombing rebels in conflict zones to gathering information to enable international rescue efforts for natural disasters. Unmanned platforms are also used in the commercial sector for a range of tasks, such as aerial photography, crop monitoring, and infrastructure inspection. China has emerged as one of a small number of worldwide leaders in the development of autonomous systems amid its continuing economic expansion and military modernisation. China is positioned to dominate industry trends as it develops its unmanned aerial vehicle technology.
The Drone Revolution
while using
unmanned platforms are expanding, yet there is no global classification scheme for these devices. Drone manufacturers, civilian organisations, and defence agencies frequently employ their own classification schemes, typically classifying systems according to either their purpose (such as reconnaissance) or salient features (e.g. operational altitude). The US Department of Defense's (DoD) system prefers the latter and categorises drones into the five types listed below. 1 DoD Unmanned Systems Classification Category
Gross takeoff weight limit (lbs)
Operational Attitude Normally (ft)
Airspeed (knots) (knots)
0-20 Group 1 1,200 AGL* 100
Group 2 21-55 \s<3,500 \s<250
Group 3: 1320, 18,000 MSL**, and 250
Group 4 >1320 \s<18,000
any airspeed greater than 18,000 in Group 5
every airspeed
AGL stands for above ground level.
Mean Sea Level (MSL)
Source: Military Department
As it modernised its military, China has carefully included unmanned systems into its strategic planning as it has developed and strengthened its position as a major exporter of weapons. "UAVs are essential operational forces for the modern battlefield," President Xi said in March 2016. In addition, China's 2019 defence white paper notes that "intelligent warfare is on the horizon" and that "there is a prevalent trend to build long-range precision, intelligent, stealthy or autonomous weaponry or equipment."
Both strike-capable and non-weaponized systems are successfully produced by China for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) tasks. People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) "is reducing the gap with the U.S. Air Force across a spectrum of capabilities, steadily eroding long-standing U.S. technical advantages," according to a 2018 DoD assessment. The document said that the "delivery of indigenous manned aircraft and a wide spectrum of UAVs" is part of the PLAAF's ongoing modernization. Particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, the Wing Loong and Caihong (CH) series have become well-liked exports to militaries all over the world. The High Altitude Long Endurance is one of its fleet of reconnaissance drones.China has made significant strides towards becoming the world's top seller of drones and other weapons. Find out more about its expanding global shipments of armaments.
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Although there are no reports of drone strikes by the Chinese military, Beijing has used drones in a number of non-combat situations. China employed drones to support various humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions in the wake of the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake. Drones have also been used by Chinese law enforcement to carry out surveillance activities in Xinjiang. An amphibious drone that might potentially transport supplies to military outposts in the South China Sea underwent a test flight in China in October 2017. More recently, the South China Sea was covered by a network of drones that were sent by China's Ministry of Natural Resources in September 2019.
To monitor and set up a drone communication system for airborne and ground-based UAVs, use the sea.
The CH-5 Drone's Performance
Although China manufactures a variety of UAVs, its multi-role strike-capable drones are the ones that are most frequently used abroad. China created the Caihong 5 (CH-5) Rainbow to more effectively meet the expanding demands of the global market. The new strike-capable UAV, which will likely compete with the US Reaper and the Israeli Heron TP, is now production-ready.
The CH-5 and Reaper are nearly identical in size and shape. Both UAVs have a ventral fin and a V-tail. Both have wingspans of around the same size, 11 metres (36 feet). Israel's Heron TP has a wide range of design variations. It is designed with two vertical tail fins and a twin-boom tail construction. Moreover, it is bigger than either the Reaper or Heron TP, with a wingspan of 26 metres (85 ft).
Approximately 1,500 kg less than the Reaper and 2,100 kg less than the Heron TP, the CH-5's Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) is 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs). When compared to its American counterpart, the CH-5's lower MTOW restricts the amount of ordnance it can carry.
and their Israeli equivalents. The Reaper can be fitted with a variety of payloads, however it usually carries two 227 kg (500 lb) bombs and a number of hellfire missiles.
Although the CH-5's configuration is unknown, it has a payload capacity of 1,200 kilograms (2,646 lbs), which is around 500 kg (1,103 lbs) less than the Reaper's and 1,500 kg (3307 lbs) less than the Heron TP's. The payload of the more recent Avenger UAV, which was created to replace the Reaper, is even more impressive at 2,948 kg (6,500 lbs). Even though it is operationally ready, the Avenger has not yet established itself significantly with the US military or as an export.
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The CH-5's engine, like those of other Chinese aviation platforms, has limitations. Hence, the
The maximum speed of the multi-role striker is 120 knots, which is more than 100 knots slower than the Reaper and Heron TP. The CH-5's limits are particularly more obvious when compared to the Avenger, which has a top speed of 400 knots. The CH-5 flies at a lesser altitude as well, with a maximum height of only 7,000 metres (22,965 feet), far lower than the Reaper's ceiling of 15,000 metres (50,000 feet) and the Heron TP's ceiling of 13,716 metres (45,000 feet). Because of its low ceiling, the CH-5 is particularly susceptible to anti-aircraft fire.
The CH-5 has an optional heavy-fuel engine that increases the craft's operational endurance to 60 hours, a 20 to 30% improvement over its regular engine, to assist offset these problems. This goes beyond The CH-5 has an optional heavy-fuel engine that increases the craft's operational endurance to 60 hours, a 20 to 30% improvement over its regular engine, to assist offset these problems. This is still considerably longer than the Heron TP's 36 hours and more than twice as long as the Reaper's 27 hours of flight duration.
State-run media outlets claim that after just one or two days of instruction, an undergraduate student with a rudimentary understanding of aviation can fly the CH-5.
The CH-5 has a theoretical advantage in terms of operational range due to its longer endurance. The manufacturer estimates that the CH-5's range with the heavy-fuel engine is between 6,500 and 10,000 kilometres (4038 to 6,214 miles). The restricted command and control capabilities of China may restrict the operational range of the CH-5 to less than 2,000 kilometres in actuality (1,243 miles).
Like other UAVs, the CH-5 is equipped with a variety of electronic warfare technologies, including infrared/electro-optic and thermal imaging capabilities for air-to-ground information collection. The CH-5's ability to conduct missions in urban environments is furthered by its ability to recognise targets through barriers. One of the CH-5's most significant characteristics is that it can conduct combined strike missions thanks to a shared control system with the CH-3 and CH-4, its forerunners. The drone's autonomous flying option, according to state media sources, significantly lowers the learning curve for operators and enables the operation of the drone "by an undergraduate student with rudimentary understanding of aviation after only one or two days of instruction."
Chinese Drones All Over the Planet
Fast becoming a significant exporter of UAVs with several roles and striking capabilities is China. China exported 181 drones to 13 different nations between 2008 and 2018. 3 Strike-capable systems made up more than 75 percent of total sales, including the well-known Caihong (35.4 percent of sales) and Wing Loong (53.6 percent) series. With this achievement, the newest Caihong model, the CH-5, is anticipated to develop.
China, however, is behind the top exporters in terms of overall UAV sales. With a total of 292 drones shipped to partners worldwide between 2008 and 2018, the US dominated the globe in drone exports. Israel sold 265 unmanned aerial vehicles shortly after. The vast bulk (88%) of American sales have consisted of ISR drones, from smaller platforms like the Scaneagle up to bigger ones like the Global Hawk. The Searcher and Aerostar are two ISR systems that make up over 70% of Israel's UAV exports.
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Chinese HALE drones have yet to get any orders, and Beijing seldom exports its more compact surveillance equipment. Instead, China has positioned itself to focus on selling Drones with the ability to launch strikes. China shipped 163 Caihong/Wing Loong series drones between 2008 and 2018, outpacing Israel's sale of 166 Hermes/Heron TP drones and the US's 35 Reaper/Predator drones.
Beijing is collaborating with businesses throughout the globe to increase the sales of its UAVs. Saudi Arabia and China agreed to develop a manufacturing and maintenance facility and Saudi Arabia signed the deal in 2017.
A Saudi Arabian factory will make the CH series of drones. China and Pakistan agreed to jointly develop 48 Wing Loong II long-endurance drones in 2018.
The UAE (22.1 percent of sales through 2018), Saudi Arabia (19.3 percent), Egypt (15.5 percent), and Pakistan were the top five countries buying Chinese drones (13.8 percent). China has recently started to gain ground in new markets.
Serbia announced in September 2019 that it will purchase nine Wing Loong drones from Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, becoming the first nation in Europe to do so. The United States sells surveillance drones to nations all around the world, but it only distributes strike-capable drones to its allies in Europe and East Asia. Israel is less limited when it comes to exports, and it sells drones that can launch strikes throughout Europe, South Asia, and Latin America.US export restrictions have benefitted Chinese exporters. In the past, the US has imposed restrictions on the export of drones with striking capabilities as part of its adherence to laws like the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). A voluntary multinational agreement called the MTCR was created in 1987 to control the spread of delivery systems for chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons. Several long-range drones are now considered to be cruise missiles due to outdated restrictions like the MTCR. President Trump loosened export regulations in April 2018 in an effort to boost drone sales, but it seems that these measures had little impact on how competitive American drone sales were on the worldwide market.
Israel, however, faces political restrictions as a result.
of statutory limitations. Although having provided more than 60% of the world's UAVs over the past three decades, sales to Middle Eastern nations have been constrained for a variety of political and strategic reasons.The CH-5 is expected to cost $8 million, which is around 50% less than the Reaper, which is built in America.
The pricing of Chinese drones is maybe their best selling point. According to estimates, the new CH-5 will cost less than the $16 million Reaper. Even less expensive than the equivalent $4 million Predator are the CH-4 and Wing Loong II, which are expected to cost between $1 and $2 million. These technologies have drawn a lot of interest from nations trying to improve their security requirements on a tight budget. For instance, the Iraqi Defense Ministry decided to buy four CH-4s in 2014 rather of the more expensive American Predator. Also, from 2013 to 2017, the UAE bought 25 Wing Loong Is, and they expressed interest in acquiring hundreds of Wing Loong IIs.in 2018.
Chinese unmanned systems have gained more notoriety as a result of these sales and subsequent use. The Iraqi Defense Ministry published a video of a CH-4 version launching a missile assault on the Islamic State on December 6, 2015. (ISIS). Since that attack, CH-4s have carried out over 260 airstrikes on ISIS sites, with a success record of almost 100%, according to Iraqi officials. In the upcoming years, China's export profile is projected to increase as a result of the country's unmanned platforms becoming more visible.China has already monopolised the commercial drone sector, while being well-positioned to compete with other exporters of military UAVs. According to estimates, Chinese drone manufacturers own close to 80% of the global drone industry.
The market for commercial drones was predicted to be worth $14 billion globally in 2018 and is projected to reach $43 billion by 2024. The US is positioned to contribute significantly to this increase. According to a 2017 McKinsey report, the US Economy would be impacted by commercial drones on an annual basis by $31 billion to $46 billion by 2026. Drones' growing influence in a variety of sectors, including media and entertainment as well as infrastructure, agriculture, and transportation, is what's fueling this expansion.
One company, DÃ -Jing Innovations, is principally responsible for China's domination in the commercial drone market (DJI). DJI holds a reputed 74 percent of the market thanks to its quick production of cutting-edge technology at a reasonable price. Because to the extent of its market penetration, the US Army now uses DJI drones more frequently than any other commercial drone. But in August 2017, the US Army stopped using DJI drones due to growing security concerns. Likewise, the US Congress presented the American Security Drone Act of 2019 on September 18, 2019, which would forbid government agencies from purchasing drones from China and any other countries considered to pose a threat to national security.
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Is China a Leader in Research and Development Across the World?
The civilian drone market in China is creating drones with military uses more and more. Private businesses are now permitted to compete against SOEs to build and sell UAVs to the military, in large part because of reforms put in place in 2013. Tengoen Tech, a new drone startup, is developing an eight-engine drone that can be tailored for operations including intelligence collection, aerial refuelling, and search and rescue.
Both industries might benefit from the blending of commercial and military UAV development. This union, according to Jane's, "produced a lively, energetic and fast-moving UAV development and, increasingly, innovation environment[.]" The State Council's 2017 "New Generation of Artificial Intelligence" report included UAV development as one of the target industries. This was done as part of China's national ambition to dominate the world in AI by 2030.
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