China's Top Military Drone Set For Civilian Sales
Fakhir Rizvi Published April 19, 2018 | 06:16 PM
The maker of China's bestselling unmanned combat aircraft is ready to market some of its killer drones for civilian commercial use.
BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2018 ) :The maker of China's bestselling unmanned combat aircraft is ready to market some of its killer drones for civilian commercial use.
Shi Wen, chief designer of the Caihong, or Rainbow, series at the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, said it is widely believed among engineers at the academy that civilian users will buy more unmanned aircraft than will the military.
That's why the academy decided to build some unarmed versions of the CH-4 and CH-5, which were developed as combat drones, and market them to private businesses. These civilian versions will be able to carry out a wide range of operations, such as engage in land surveys, environmental inspections, and maritime surveillance, he told China Daily.
The use of unmanned aircraft will extensively improve the economy and efficiency in these fields, Shi said. "Compared with armed models, the civilian drones will have higher safety standards and lower production and operational costs," Shi said.
"They also have many advantages compared with manned planes - they can be used day and night; they need less maintenance and fuel, and they can safely fly over hazardous or inaccessible areas without risks to humans.
I can name more." The senior designer also said his academy plans to develop a variant of the CH-4 that will be suitable for deployment on plateaus to conduct both military and civilian tasks.
He said this plateau model will have a new engine, modified wings and reinforced landing gear.
China has deployed several civilian CH-3s to prospect for mineral resources in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and northeastern provinces. Those CH-3s, which originally were midrange reconnaissance/combat drones, are the world's first deployable mine-survey drones, according to the academy.
The unarmed CH-3s also have been used since July in the southern African country of Zambia to prospect for mineral resources. The operation in the African nation is the first time large Chinese-made drones, unlike the small consumer models made by Chinese firms like DJI, performed a civilian mission in a foreign country and also the first time an African nation used an unmanned aircraft to explore for mines, the academy said.
China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics is the country's largest military drone exporter by the number of products sold overseas. Aircraft from its CH series have been sold to militaries in more than 10 countries, making it the largest drone family the country has exported, according to the academy.
According to foreign media, CH-3s and CH-4s are among the most popular combat drones on the international market and have played a big role in the fight against terrorism.
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From World
-
Football: English Championship table
2 hours ago -
Time for 'democratic transition' in Venezuela: opposition candidate to AFP
2 hours ago -
Spain's Pedro Sanchez : a risk-taker with a flair for survival
3 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
3 hours ago -
Nadal will only play French Open if he can 'compete well'
3 hours ago -
Ukraine, Israel, TikTok: the massive aid package before US Congress
3 hours ago
-
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
3 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 results
4 hours ago -
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
5 hours ago -
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
5 hours ago -
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
5 hours ago -
Anger among Ukrainians in Poland as Kyiv halts passport renewals
5 hours ago