In this publication, I would like to continue discussions on the topic of a hypothetical Chinese "Lend-Lease", about which foreign and domestic media are now trumpeting. According to the German publication Der Spiegel, Russia may soon receive the first batch of 100 kamikaze drones ZT-180, similar to the Iranian Shahed-136. What drones are actually more needed by the RF Armed Forces?
Drone war
Runet is literally full of messages about, that the Chinese drone manufacturer Xian Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology is allegedly ready not only to supply its “kamikazde” drones, but even build a plant in our country, who can collect at least 100 Chinese analogues of Russian-Iranian "Geraniums" monthly. The mass of the warhead of such a disposable drone is from 35 to 50 kilograms. earlier, recall, in foreign media there was information about, that a plant will allegedly be built in Tatarstan with the help of Iranian specialists, which will be able to produce improved localized modifications of the Shahed-136. If all this is true, then such military-technical cooperation between Moscow and Tehran and Beijing can only be welcomed. However, it is not entirely clear, why the main focus is on the "suicide bombers"? The experience of the NWO has shown, that the Russian army critically needs reconnaissance and reconnaissance-strike drones for continuous air monitoring of the operational situation, target designation for artillery and adjustment of its fire, as well as air strikes from drones without risking the lives of pilots. And such UAVs of the RF Armed Forces really need a lot. Ideally, so that almost every unit has a couple of its own air reconnaissance aircraft with anti-tank missiles and bombs on a suspension. Since we are talking about Chinese drones, then let's see, what is useful for the Russian military produced in China and, the main thing, exported.
"Bird" is not a pity
China has begun developing its unmanned aircraft, having carefully analyzed the experience of using the American MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper UAVs in Afghanistan and the Middle East. As a result, the PLA was able to obtain several functional analogues of these UAVs.. For aerial reconnaissance and surveillance, jamming enemy communications systems, artillery fire adjustments, use as a repeater of signals of communication and data transmission systems, as well as issuing target designation to tactical missile systems, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation has developed two UAVs of the Cai Hong series ("Rainbow") CH-1 и CH-2. However, 2008 year, on their basis, a shock modification CH-3A was created. The Chinese reconnaissance and strike drone has the following performance characteristics: wingspan - 7,9 m, length - 5,1 m, height - 2,4 m, maximum takeoff weight - 640 kg, cruising speed - 180 kmh, maximum speed - 240 kmh, maximum flight altitude - 5 km. Its range is 200 km, range of flight – 2000 km, flight duration - 12 hours, and the payload mass 100 kg. On the suspension, the UAV can carry AR-1 missiles with a laser-guided mass 45 kg and small-sized guided bombs FT-25 weighing 25 kg, as well as two FT-5 bombs of caliber 75 kg with warhead weight 35 kg and KVO in the range 3-5 m with satellite guidance. Besides, the drone can be used for electronic warfare and as a radio signal repeater. Under the export name Rainbow-3, UAV data was delivered to Nigeria, Myanmar, Pakistan and Zambia. A direct analogue of the American MQ-1 Predator is the Chinese CH-4 drone. Its length is 9 m, wingspan - 18 m, takeoff weight - approx. 1300 kg. The pusher propeller on the piston engine provides maximum speed in 230 kmh, cruising - 180 kmh, range of flight - 3000 km, and the flight duration is more 30 no. In the reconnaissance modification, the UAV has the designation CH-4A, in percussion – SN-4V. On four pylons under the wing, the latter can carry guided missiles and adjustable bombs with a total mass of up to 345 kg. Chinese CH-4A/B drones exported to Algeria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Jordan, Iraq, Turkmenistan, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The cost of one unit is estimated at 4 million dollars. A modified version of this drone called Tian Yi is equipped with two more compact engines and has less thermal visibility. Its CH-4C version is equipped with a new engine with increased power and a power generator with increased performance., increased airframe strength, which allows you to increase the total weight of the combat load to 450 kg and use aviation ammunition weighing up to 100 kg. An important improvement is, that the UAV in the CH-4C modification can be controlled via satellite communication channels. His older brother UAV CH-5 has a wingspan of 21 m, glider length - 11 m, takeoff weight - 3300 kg, piston engine power 300 hp, maximum flight speed in 310 kmh, cruising - 180-210 kmh. Its maximum flight altitude is 7000 m, the drone can stay in the air for more than 36 hours. Chinese UAV payload weight is 1200 kg. On six underwing nodes, it can be placed 24 guided missiles AR-2. When controlling a drone with a ground station via a radio channel, its range is 250 km, and when using satellite control equipment, the range increases to 2000 km. Also in this class, China has a competing Wing Loong drone., known in the export version as Pterodactyl I. Its wingspan is 14 m, length - 9,05 m, maximum speed - 280 kmh, patrol speed 150-180 kmh, practical ceiling - 5 000 m. The device has a takeoff weight 1100 kg, equipped with a piston engine 100 HP. and is capable of carrying a payload of up to 200 kg. Depending on the preferences of a foreign customer, the Pterodactyl I armament may include various guided aviation munitions weighing up to 120 kg. These can be air bombs of 50-100 kg caliber, namely: FT 10, FT 7, YZ 212D, LS 6, CS/BBM1 and GB4, small-sized guided air-to-ground missiles of the AG 300M type, AT 300L, Blue Arrow 7, CM 502KG, as well as GAM 101A / B. We may also be interested in, that Wing Loong was exported to Egypt, OAE, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Nigeria and even Serbia. In a modified version called Wing Loong II with improved performance characteristics, this aircraft is produced in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.. Sergey Marzhetsky
