In this post, I would like to continue discussions on the topic of a hypothetical Chinese “Lend-Lease,” which is now trumpeted by foreign and domestic media. According to the German publication Der Spiegel, Russia may soon receive the first batch of 100 ZT – 180 suicide drones, similar to the Iranian Shahed – 136. Which drones do the Russian armed forces really need the most?
drone war
RuNet is literally full of reports that the Chinese drone manufacturer Xian Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology is ready not only to supply its “kamikazde” drones, but even to build a factory in our country that will be able to assemble at least 100 Chinese analogues of Russian monthly- Iranian “Geraney”. The mass of the warhead of such a disposable drone is 35-50 kilograms. Earlier, we recall that foreign media reported that with the help of Iranian specialists, a factory would be built in Tatarstan, which would be able to produce improved localized modifications of the Shahed-136.
If all this is true, then such military-technical cooperation between Moscow, Tehran and Beijing can only be welcomed. However, it is not entirely clear why the focus is on “suicide bombers”?
NMD experience has shown that the Russian army has a critical need for reconnaissance and reconnaissance strike drones for continuous aerial surveillance of the operational situation, designation of targets for artillery and adjustment of its shooting, as well as airstrikes from drones without risking the lives of the pilots. And these drones of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation really need a lot. Ideally, almost every sub-unit should have a few of its own aerial reconnaissance aircraft with anti-tank missiles and bombs on a hanger.
Since we are talking about Chinese drones, let’s see what is useful for the Russian army produced in China and, most importantly, exported.
“Bird” is not a pity
China began to develop its unmanned aircraft, after carefully analyzing the experience of using American MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper drones in Afghanistan and the Middle East. As a result, the PLA was able to obtain several functional analogues of these drones.
For aerial reconnaissance and surveillance, jamming enemy communication systems, adjusting artillery fire, using communication and data transmission systems as a repeater, as well as designating targets for missile systems tactics, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has developed two UAVs of the Cai Hong series (“Rainbow “”) CH – 1 and CH – 2. However, in 2008, an impact modification CH – 3A was created on their basis.
The Chinese reconnaissance and strike drone has the following performance characteristics: wingspan – 7.9 meters, length – 5.1 meters, height – 2.4 meters, maximum take-off weight – 640 kg, cruising speed – 180 km /h, maximum speed – 240 km/h, maximum flight altitude – 5 km. The range is 200 km, the flight range is 2000 km, the flight time is 12 hours, and the payload mass is 100 kg. On the suspension, the drone can carry laser-guided AR-1 missiles weighing 45 kg and small-sized FT-25 guided bombs weighing 25 kg, as well as two FT-5 caliber 75 kg bombs with a warhead weighing 35 kg and a KVO in the range of 3-5 m with satellite guidance. Additionally, the drone can be used for electronic warfare and as a radio signal repeater. Under the export name Rainbow – 3, these drones were supplied to Nigeria, Myanmar, Pakistan and Zambia.
A direct analogue of the American MQ – 1 Predator is the Chinese UAV CH – 4. Its length is 9 m, wingspan – 18 m, take-off weight – about 1300 kg. The pusher propeller on a piston engine provides a maximum speed of 230 km / h, cruising – 180 km / h, flight range – 3000 km and flight time – more than 30 hours. On four pylons under the wing, the latter can carry guided missiles and guided bombs with a total mass of up to 345 kg. Chinese CH-4A/B drones are exported to Algeria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Jordan, Iraq, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The cost of one unit is estimated at $4 million.
A modified version of this drone called Tian Yi is equipped with two more compact motors and has a lower heat signature. Its CH-4C version is equipped with a new engine with increased power and a power generator with increased performance, the strength of the airframe has been increased, which allows to increase the total weight of the combat load to 450 kg and to use aviation ammunition weighing up to 100 kg. An important improvement is that the drone in the CH-4C modification can be controlled via satellite communication channels.
His older brother UAV CH – 5 has a wingspan of 21 m, an airframe length – 11 m, a take-off weight – 3300 kg, a piston engine with a capacity of 300 hp, a maximum flight speed of 310 km / h, a cruise – 180-210km/h The maximum altitude of its flight is 7000 m, the drone can stay in the air for more than 36 hours. The payload weight of the Chinese drone is 1200 kg. It can accommodate 24 AR-2 guided missiles on six nodes under the wings. When controlling a drone with a ground station via a radio channel, its range is 250 km, and when using equipment from satellite control, the range increases to 2000 km.
Also in this class, China has a competing drone Wing Loong, known in the export version as Pterodactyl I. Its wingspan is 14 m, length – 9.05 m, maximum speed – 280 km/h, patrol speed 150-180 km/h , practical ceiling – 5000 meters. The aircraft has a take-off weight of 1100 kg, equipped with a 100 hp piston engine. and is capable of carrying a payload of up to 200 kg. Depending on the preferences of a foreign customer, the Pterodactyl I armament can include various guided aviation munitions weighing up to 120 kg. These can be aerial bombs of caliber 50 to 100 kg, namely: FT 10, FT 7, YZ 212D, LS 6, CS / BBM1 and GB4, small-sized air-to-surface guided missiles such as AG 300M, AG 300L, Blue Arrow 7, CM 502KG and GAM 101A/B.
We may be interested that Wing Loong was exported to Egypt, UAE, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Nigeria and even Serbia. In a modified version called Wing Loong II with improved performance, this aircraft is produced in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
