Note: This article is about the drones that Pakistan Armed forces have acquired from China and their capabilities.

Wing Loong II Drone

Wing Long II is a Chinese MALE (medium altitude long endurance) drone, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute (CADI). It is an improved version of its predecessor Wing Long I drone which was primarily a reconnaissance and surveillance drone. Wing Long II was designed for reconnaissance, surveillance and precision strike capabilities. The drone can perform combat operations affectively due to its long range strike capability with a satellite link. Wing Loong II was unveiled at the Beijing Aviation Expo held in September 2015.

The fuselage structure of the Wing Long II is modified such that the drone has a low RCS (radar cross section). The mid-mounted fixed wing helps to reduce the drag by providing improved performance. It has two V-shaped vertical tail fins. The drone has a retractable landing gear which include two main wheels under the fuselage and one single wheel under the nose.

PSF china droneThe drone is also equipped with electronic countermeasures. An electro-optical payload pod is also fitted under the forward section of the fuselage. To collect targeting data and for surveillance in both day and night, day light, infrared cameras and sensors can also be integrated. The drone is also equipped with synthetic aperture radar, laser designator and forward-looking infrared camera. The drone is remotely controlled by operator from the mobile ground control station. The control station receives payload information from the drone via a data communications link and sends back command and control, as well as mission planning data to the drone.

The drone carries a maximum payload of 480kg with maximum take-off weight of 4200kg. The drone has a length of 36 ft. 1 inch, a wingspan of 67 ft. 3 inches and a height of 13 ft. 5 inches. The drone has a maximum speed of 370 km/h, a cruise speed of 200 km/h with a range of 1,448 km and a combat range of 250 km. It has flight endurance of 32 hours. The maximum service ceiling is 32480 fts.

Each wing has three hard points under the wings with capability of carrying bombs, rockets or air-to-ground missiles. The drone can carry 12 air-to-ground missiles or laser guided bombs. The weaponry options include AKD-10 air-to-surface anti-tank missile, BRMI-90 90mm guided rocket, FT-7/130 small 130kg bomb with planar wing, FT-9/50 50kg bomb for drones, FT-10/25 25kg bomb, GB-7/50 50kg precision-guided munition (PGM), and GB-4/100 PGM.

CH4B Drone

CH4B is a Chinese MALE (medium altitude long endurance) drone, developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, an entity under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). It belongs to the CASC Rainbow series of Chinese UAVs. There are two types of CH4 drones CH4A and CH4B. The CH-4A is a reconnaissance and surveillance drone) while the CH-4B is a mixed attack and reconnaissance/surveillance drone capable of conducting combat missions. Pakistan armed forces have acquired CH4B drone.

It was primarily designed for high altitude operations. CH4B has communications range ranging from 1500 – 2000 km with SatCom, 150 km range from Ground Control Station (GCS). It is similar to the US MQ-9 reaper drone except that the ventral fin below the V-tail on MQ-9 is absent on CH-4B.

The drone carries a maximum payload of 345kg with maximum take-off weight of 1300kg. The drone has a length of 28 ft., a wingspan of 59 ft. and a height of 12 ft. 4 inches. It is powered by a Chinese 1000hp engine. The drone has a maximum speed of 435 km/h, a cruise speed of 330 km/h with a range of 2750km. It has flight endurance of 40 hours without external payload. With payload its flight endurance is 14 hours.

It can carry 6 weapons at a time which include AR-1 missile, AR-2 missile, AKD-10 air-to-surface anti-tank missile, BRMI-90 90mm guided rocket, FT-7/130 130 kg glide bombs, FT-9/50 50 kg bomb, FT-10/25 25 kg bomb, GB-7/50 50 kg precision-guided munition (PGM), GB-4/100 PGM. CH4 can fire air to ground missiles from an altitude of 16400fts. while staying outside of range of anti-aircraft guns.

 

 

 

 

 

#Anonymous

#TeamPakistanStrategicForum

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here