Friday, December 27, 2013

China's First Stealth Drone - Lijan or Sharp Sword



China's First Stealth Drone - Analysis Eurasia Review
The test flight of China’s first stealth drone, in November 2013, makes China leap from drones to combat drones. It demonstrates China’s enormous military expenditure towards building a world class level of military power. Lijian’s successful test flight has made China the fourth country, after the US (X-47B), France (Dassault nEUROn) and Britain (Taranis), to have independently developed a UCAV. The stealth drone, Lijan or Sharp Sword can be used for electronic surveillance and air-to-ground strikes. Its potential and technological capability makes it a suitable choice for the navy as it may also function as an unmanned combat platform for its aircraft carrier. It is capable of flying undetected at high altitudes, providing intelligence information supported by high resolution video.

China successfully tests new stealth drone 'Sharp Sword' - YouTube

China has successfully tested its first stealth combat drone, known as Lijian or 'Sharp Sword' on Thursday (November 21).

It was reported that the test flight lasted for 20 minutes and was carried out in a testing base in southwestern China.

The Lijian reportedly has a wingspan of 14 meters, smaller than the U.S. Navy's X-47B, which has a wingspan of 19 meters. It is powered by a single jet engine, presumed to be the Shengyang WP7 based on the design of turbojet engine Tumansky R-11. It is estimated that the Lijian's ordinance payload might not exceed 2,000 kg. The Chinese CM-506 small-diameter bomb, which has a range of 130 km against land or maritime targets, is said to have been recommended for the Lijian.

The drone is also said to be similar to the X-47B drone being tested by the US Navy as well as France's experimental Neuron project.

China has been developing stealth aircraft in recent years, including J-20 and J-31 stealth fighter jets.



▶ China's 'Lijan' (Sharp Sword) UCAV Taxiing video and take-off photos - YouTube
Video footage were posted on Chinese military forums showing the Lijian drone taxiing and first flight take-off photos


China conducts test flight of stealth drone 

has successfully conducted the first test flight of the domestically built and designed stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), media reports said Friday. The drone aircraft, named "Lijan" or "Sharp Sword" is believed to be the country's first stealth technology-based aircraft, Global Times quoted huanqiu.com as saying. The test flight began around 1 p.m. Thursday from an undisclosed location and lasted for about 20 minutes, the report said. The aircraft was designed by the Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China and was manufactured by the Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry Group, the report added.

China Pulls Ahead Of Britain and Russia In Stealth Drones!!

Naval Air: China Catching Up With X-47B

China's First Stealth Drone - Analysis Eurasia Review
The test flight of China’s first stealth drone, in November 2013, makes China leap from drones to combat drones. It demonstrates China’s enormous military expenditure towards building a world class level of military power. Lijian’s successful test flight has made China the fourth country, after the US (X-47B), France (Dassault nEUROn) and Britain (Taranis), to have independently developed a UCAV. The stealth drone, Lijan or Sharp Sword can be used for electronic surveillance and air-to-ground strikes. Its potential and technological capability makes it a suitable choice for the navy as it may also function as an unmanned combat platform for its aircraft carrier. It is capable of flying undetected at high altitudes, providing intelligence information supported by high resolution video.

China successfully tests new stealth drone 'Sharp Sword' - YouTube

China has successfully tested its first stealth combat drone, known as Lijian or 'Sharp Sword' on Thursday (November 21).

It was reported that the test flight lasted for 20 minutes and was carried out in a testing base in southwestern China.

The Lijian reportedly has a wingspan of 14 meters, smaller than the U.S. Navy's X-47B, which has a wingspan of 19 meters. It is powered by a single jet engine, presumed to be the Shengyang WP7 based on the design of turbojet engine Tumansky R-11. It is estimated that the Lijian's ordinance payload might not exceed 2,000 kg. The Chinese CM-506 small-diameter bomb, which has a range of 130 km against land or maritime targets, is said to have been recommended for the Lijian.

The drone is also said to be similar to the X-47B drone being tested by the US Navy as well as France's experimental Neuron project.

China has been developing stealth aircraft in recent years, including J-20 and J-31 stealth fighter jets.

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