China Working on UAVs for its Aircraft Carriers

On the 3rd of this month, Global Times (a Chinese paper) had an interview with Shi Wen, the lead engineer for the Cai Hong series of UAVs for CASC, Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (a chinese defense contractor). In the interview, he stated China needed UAVs for its carriers and that China had been working on the problem for some time. The UAVs were needed for the carriers so that the Chinese could have a strong navy, paraphrasing the article.

"Although the military has not released any information, research into carrier-based UAVs started long ago, and ship-based UAVs on destroyers and frigates have already been used in training," Li said.

Shi told the Global Times that "considerable resources are needed in carrier-based UAV research," so it would be risky to attempt without "government support."

www.globaltimes.cn...

The note about cost is interesting: the Chinese gov is paying for this. That means they think they need it for their carriers and carriers are a priority.

I've sat on this because it needed a second source. Jane's just provided some follow-up and one particularly interesting bit:

In fact, commercial satellite imagery captured in November 2016 shows a UAV at a catapult test site of the People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force (PLANAF) base at Huangdicun. The site has two catapult test tracks installed side by side, one of which is assessed to be steam powered, and the other electromagnetic.

www.janes.com...


It would seems aircraft carriers are a priority. It will be interesting to see what the Chinese carrier air wing will end up looking like.

A throw away tidbit from the interview above was that the next iteration in the CaiHong series, the CH-X, will be unveiled at the Zhuhai airshow this year.

For some time I've considered that drone warfare could--most likely would--come back to haunt us.

Chief among my considerations were the Chinese who have a large manufacturing base and much experience in cost-effective electronics and engineering.

It's sobering to consider millions of cheap Chinese drones used as an attack force. Looks like the thought hasn't escaped them either.

a reply to: The GUT

Drones swarms are coming, but you don't need an aircraft carrier for that. Something like below would work just fine:

a reply to: anzha

Or release them from submarines off the coast.

a reply to: anzha

Its a smart move, if only for AWAC style coverage. I could see it being the next logical step if you can get the Size/vs leathality right. I'd rather have 4 or 5 Drones that can deal out damage than one Pilot. I't would depend on how many more drones you could get vs Piloted Aircraft.

I think they have learnt there lesson from watching the USA,s comical running of its Naval UAV programs..