China's new 'Sharp Sword' stealth drone - which is capable of dropping TWO TONNES of bombs - has won second prize in competition.
Little is known about the unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) dubbed the "Lijian" in Mandarin - other that it is the first non- NATO aircraft of its kind and 'better' than that used by all military in the West.
But the ominously titled Sharp Sword just won second place in a nationwide competition called the National Science and Technology Advancement Prizes, it's been revealed.
It's the latest sign of the increasingly sophisticated design of China's military arsenal.
The 33ft-long craft - which was spotted being tested last year - is known to have been built by Aviation Industry Corporation of China and the prize is being paraded as a huge win for Chinese aviation technology.
The drone's two bomb bays can carry a payload in the region of 4,400 pounds vast distances - without being picked up on radar thanks to its stealth capabilities - and is expected to enter service by 2019-20.
There's no further details on why it won the competition - or indeed what beat it to first place - but according to Popular Science , the craft is believed to use a non-afterburning WS-13 turbofan engine with what's termed as a serpentine inlet to mask it from enemy radar.
As well as combat situations, the Sharp Sword is expected to be used for reconnaissance missions - and tracking foreign warships.
According to Popular Science the aircraft could one day be used to for "first through the door" combat missions against high-value targets.
It's also rumoured to be capable of acting as an aerial refuelling tanker for other aircraft.
It was first spotted in the air undergoing flight testing last year - and reportedly has a wingspan of around 46ft - and said to be similar appearance to a smaller version of the B-2 flying wing bomber.
It's China's answer to the American X-47B, the British Taranis and the French Neuron - but thought to have a far longer range than any of the West's competitors.
It comes just months after China unveiled another powerful drone bomber - which can fly a distance of up to 20,000km (15,000 miles) for TWO DAYS without refuelling.
The CH-5 unmanned aerial vehicle made its first flight last year - and appears based on the US MQ-9 reaper.
Capable of carrying smart bombs, missiles and high-tech radar jammers, the weapon made its first public appearance at a military air show in the southern city of Zhuhai.
AsiaOne described the prototype as: "One of the most powerful unmanned combat aircraft in the world."
Chief designer Shi Wen added: "Several foreign nations have expressed intentions to purchase the CH-5 and we are in talks with them."
첫댓글 미국, 영국이 30년대에 일본 전투기, 폭격기, 어뢰 우습게 알다가 41-42년에 호되게 당한 일이 반복되지 않게 과소평가하는 일은 없어야겠네요.
1.이런 거 아직 안 하는 게 이상한 거 아님? 그보다는 이상한 건 이런 넘을 옆에 두고 있는 나라가 벌리는 일들... :) 2.이런 거 아니라도 2세에게 중국어는 가르치는 게 좋을 것 같음. 제2외국어의 선택기준은, 취직/돈 벌려면 중국어, 뭔가 깊이 있게 공부하려면 일본어라고나 할까...
정말 무서운 것은 진짜 필요한 것이 무엇인지 파악하고 꼭 필수적인 물건을 재빠르게 카피해대는 실력과 함께... 동시에 몇 개의 프로젝트를 동시에 돌릴 수 있는 역량입니다. 당장 스치는 대형 개발프로젝트만도... ㄷ ㄷ ㄷ;;;
다 7~80년대에 자기들끼리 조~온나 삽질해대고 웃끼는 상대들에게 개피봤던 경험이 밑거름이 되었던것임.
그때 우리처럼 1차 걸프전에 미군이 오란다고 뱅기하고 몸만 가지고 갔어도 다 챙겨주는 스폰서(속으로야 한심스럽다고 생각했었겠지만...)가 있는것과는 각오가 틀리다는...
@김용우 ㅇㅇ;;; 그렇죠.
@김용우 그 때나 지금이나 ... 지금까지의 우리의 안보개념은.... "혈맹"이니 "꽁짜"라고 생각하는 모양입니다.
저는 반만년 역사동안 침략을 한일이 없는 평화를 사랑하는 백의민족, 당하기만 하면서 당파싸움만 해온 민족이라는게 꽤 부끄러웠었는데, 요새는 이런 나라와 민족이 아직 까지 독립을 유지하고 있다는 게 신기하기만 합니다....ㅜㅜ
"독립"이라는 단어도 ... 우리나라의 경우 좀 살펴서 해석해야되는 거 아닐까요 ?