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China launches world-leading unmanned warship
By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/8/22 18:00:24

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China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation launches the JARI multiple purpose unmanned surface vessel on August 21, 2019. Photo: Screenshot from WeChat account of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation No. 716 Research Institute

China on Wednesday launched a world-leading unmanned warship, with its developer claiming the vessel is combat-ready.

Jointly developed by No. 716 and No. 702 research institutes under the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), the JARI multi-purpose unmanned combat vessel held its launch ceremony on Wednesday at an undisclosed location, according to a statement the No. 716 Research Institute of CSIC released on its WeChat account on Wednesday.

The launch indicates the world-leading combat drone ship has gained initial combat capability, the statement said.

Announcing JARI's combat-readiness immediately after its launch is also an indication of how mature the technologies used on the ship are, a military expert who asked not to be named told the Global Times on Thursday.

Normally a warship needs multiple sea trials before it becomes operational, the expert noted.

It will still need further tests to unlock its full potential of being a fully autonomous combat drone ship, according to the statement.

The ship has a length of about only 15 meters and a displacement of 20 tons, but is capable of conducting air defense, anti-ship and anti-submarine missions thanks to a phased array radar system, vertical-launched missiles and torpedoes, China Central Television (CCTV) reported in February, when a model of the JARI was exhibited at the 14th International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi.

Some military observers called the ship an unmanned "mini Aegis-class destroyer" because of its radar and missiles.

The JARI can be remotely controlled, but also uses artificial intelligence to autonomously navigate and undertake combat activities once it receives commands, the CCTV report said.

The drone ship could either work stealthily alone or form a swarm with others to become a formidable power, analysts said.

A CSIC representative told CCTV that the ship has garnered a lot of attention from military representatives from many countries while it was on display at IDEX.

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China reveals hunter drone to catch small, low flying drones with nets
By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2019/9/4 17:43:03

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A Chinese hunter drone shoots a 16-square-meter net at another drone, effectively bringing it down from the sky. Photo: Screenshot from China Central Television

China has developed a drone capable of hunting small, low flying drones, China's state broadcaster has revealed.

The hexacopter drone made by a research center under the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) is capable of approaching a hostile or illegal drone and firing a 16-square-meter net at it, China Central Television (CCTV) reported online on Tuesday via a column on military affairs.

Caught by the web, the hostile drone would lose power and fall to ground.

The net can be autonomously launched by the drone hunter, the report said, without disclosing the type of the hunter drone.

It is also a part of China's interception system against small, slow, low flying targets, CCTV reported, noting that the drone can work together with land-based rocket launchers and radars.

"Small, slow, low-flying aircraft are difficult or cost-inefficient for traditional air defense systems to intercept," a military expert who asked not to be named told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"As drones become more popular and common, they bring about more security threats."

The expert noted the drone can conduct surveillance, reconnaissance and bombardment missions not only in battle, but also in non-combat areas.

In August 2018, two commercial drones carrying explosives detonated in a failed assassination attempt on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro when he was delivering a speech, the New York Times reported.

The hunter drone and detection devices can reduce such threats, the expert said.

Other countries are also developing similar weapons.

US drone company Airspace Systems also made a drone capable of capturing other drones by shooting a net, US media outlet Popular Mechanics reported in 2016.
 
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China unveils supersonic spy drone during National Day military parade rehearsal
  • Expect ‘exciting new weaponry on show’ during event marking 70th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic, analyst says
  • At least two types of advanced unmanned aerial vehicle likely to take part

Liu Zhen

Published: 10:59pm, 16 Sep, 2019

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The DR-8 supersonic reconnaissance drone is seen in a military parade rehearsal in Beijing on Saturday. Photo: Handout.

China’s supersonic spy drone was unveiled for the first time during a weekend rehearsal
for the National Day military parade on October 1, according to photographs circulating on social media.
The photos, which have prompted discussion among military enthusiasts, show at least two types of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – identified as the DR-8 or Wuzhen 8, and the Sharp Sword stealth attack drone.

The DR-8 would be expected to play a key role should there be a conflict with US aircraft carrier strike groups in the South China Sea or Western Pacific.

The reconnaissance drone’s appearance at the rehearsal drew attention partly because it loosely resembles a supersonic UAV that was retired by the US more than four decades ago – the D-21.

The US used the drone for spying missions in China and a number of them crashed during operations, leaving their remnants scattered in various locations across the country. One of the crashed D-21s was put on display at Beijing’s Military Museum a few years ago.

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Crowds strain to get a look as military vehicles pass along a street in Beijing on Saturday. Photo: AP

The DR-8 reconnaissance drone has a role in assessing the strike impact of China’s “aircraft carrier killer”, the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, and the DF-26 ballistic missile.

According to Zhou Chenming, a Beijing-based military commentator, the DR-8 could travel faster than the D-21 – whose maximum speed is Mach 3.3 – letting it penetrate the enemy’s air defences and return intact with intelligence.

The PLA had been using the drone – which can reach strategic locations as far away as the Western Pacific, including Guam – for some time, according to Shanghai-based military commentator Shi Lao.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/mil...anced-nuclear-weapons-national-day-parade-and
China to show off advanced nuclear weapons in National Day parade


“In fact, this UAV [the DR-8] entered into service a while ago,” Shi said.
The other drone to watch at the parade, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, is the Sharp Sword – an attack drone that can carry several missiles or laser-guided bombs.

Also spotted in the rehearsal photos was China’s hypersonic DF-17 missile, which can deliver a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle capable of shifting targets in flight.

The DF-41 will also be part of the huge military parade – a solid-fuel, road-mobile intercontinental ballistic missile that can carry up to 10 nuclear warheads and hit targets on the US mainland.

The PLA Air Force also rolled out a new strategic bomber, the H-6N, during the rehearsal on Sunday. Observers said that the bomber’s most notable feature was an aerial refuelling receptacle.

That will enable the aircraft, which was modelled on the Soviet Tu-16 jet bomber, to carry out in-flight refuelling – significantly boosting its operating range compared to its predecessor, the H-6K.

A previously undisclosed lightweight battle tank, the Type 15, was also seen during the parade rehearsals.
“There will be some exciting new weaponry on show at the parade this year,” Zhou said.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Supersonic spy drone unveiled at rehearsal for National Day parade
 
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