http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...nese-stealth-hunting-drone-pictured-time.html
- Divine Eagle is estimated to be up to 60ft long (18 metres)
- It is believed to be the largest ever drone created by China
- It can detect stealth aircraft and warships at long ranges
By
Ellie Zolfagharifard For Dailymail.com
Published: 04:04 EST, 29 May 2015 | Updated: 14:45 EST, 29 May 2015
Images of China’s largest drone has revealed new details on the country’s ‘stealth hunting’ capabilities.
Named the ‘Divine Eagle’, the drone is a high-altitude UAV that can detect stealth aircraft at large distances with radar.
The Divine Eagle reportedly flew in February, but this is the first time images of the drone have emerged online.
PopSci notes that the images follows the release of the first Chinese defence White Paper which calls for improved expeditionary capabilities for the military.
The Divine Eagle is a high-altitude UAV designed to detect stealth aircraft at long ranges, using special purpose radars.
Not many details have been emerged of its exact capabilities, but the prototype seen in the images is a single engine, twin bodied aircraft with two vertical tails that act as stabilisers.
It also has two satellite communications domes, completely vertical tails and an exposed engine intake.
Jeffrey Lin and P.W. Singer at Popsci estimate that the fuselage has a diameter of 5ft (1.5 metres_ and a height to length ratio of 1:12, with length up to 60ft (18 metres).
The wingspan is likely to be 164ft (50 metres) in width.
It has seven radars which include a X/UHF AMTI Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar on the front and two X/UHF AMTI/SAR/GMTI AESA radars on the twin booms.
There are another two X/UHF AMTI AESA radars on either side of the engine nozzles, and two more radars on the end of the booms.
The drone’s long range anti-stealth capabilities can be used against aircraft and warships helping intercept silent enemy attacks.
It can also detect anti-ship missile trucks and air defences on land.
In November, that another one of China's ambitious drones, called Dark Sword, is under secret development.
It was unveiled in 2006 at an airshow, but has since disappeared from public view.
Chinese aviation expert Fu Qianshao told CCTV that while he does not know the status of the Dark Sword project, the drone could become the world's first supersonic UAV if it proves a success.
He said he would not be surprised if the project is still ongoing in secret as a lack of transparency is nothing new for the aviation industry and is an approach commonly taken by the Americans.