US X-47B versus PLA 'Sword'

[TaiShang]

US X-47B versus PLA 'Sword'
china.org.cn

The U.S. Navy's X-47 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is often compared to the Chinese air force's latest "Sword" drone because of similarities in the aircrafts' aerodynamic shapes.

The U.S. Navy conducts another test flight of the X-47B unmanned combat drone on Aug. 17, 2014. The X-47B aircraft being tested performed a catapult takeoff from aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CNV-71) before completing a series of flight tests. The X-47B also completed its first flight formation with an F/A-18F "Super Hornet" during this test flight.

The increasing adroitness of the X-47B's takeoffs and landings has led many to believe that the famous scene from the film "Stealth" will soon be possible in real life.

The "Sword" UAV is developed by Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute and manufactured by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group. The separation of the design and manufacturing processes marked a new mode in China's aviation industry. The "Sword" completed its maiden flight in November, 2013 at an undisclosed flight test center in southwestern China.

No official data on the "Sword's" dimensions have been released, but keen military enthusiasts noticed that the drone uses an RD-93 engine, the same one installed on the FC-1 "Thunder." This allows them to estimate that the "Sword" measures around 10 meters in length and 2.4 meters in height, making the "Sword" smaller than the X-47B, which measures 11.64 meters in length and 3.1 meters in height.

The X-47B is powered by a F100-PW-220U engine that has no after burner, capable of a maximum thrust of 79 kilo newtons. By contrast, the "Sword" is currently equipped with a Russian RD-93 engine with a maximum thrust of 49 KN while the Chinese aviation industry continues to develop a suitable engine for the aircraft. However, the RD-93 has an after burner, which requires the adjustable nozzle seen in the photo.

While the X-47B's nozzle is hidden within the fuselage, the "Sword's" nozzle protrudes from the fuselage, detracting from the aircraft's stealth design. However, it is expected that the Chinese WS-13 turbofan engine, which was modeled after the Russian RD-93, will feature some modification to the nozzle design.

Despite imperfections in the engine nozzle, the rest of the design of the "Sword" complies with the necessary elements of stealth drone construction. The compartment doors for all the aircraft’s landing gear feature a zigzag shape, a more careful treatment than that seen on the X-47B. Also, the "Sword's" wings do not feature a two-section layout, unlike those of the X-47B.

 

[TaiShang]

Continued from above:

The overall aerodynamic layout of the "Sword" and the X-47B both feature a flying-wing design with engine inlets positioned on the back of the fuselage, which helps both aircraft achieve better maximum range. This photo shows that the "Sword's" speedbrakes are placed at the rear side of the wings, a convention in flying-wing aircraft design.

In developing "Sword," Hongdu modified the design of an L15 advanced jet trainer into a UAV. The L15's seats were removed, and additional equipment was installed on the plane's belly.

The "Sword" prototype has a clear task orientation. The lower photo shows the RD-33 afterburning-capable turbofan engine takes up a huge amount of space, which implies that when the Chinese engine, which does not feature an after-burner, is installed on the drone, the extra room will accommodate more equipment.

There is no reason to fear the X-47B, because it is still a prototype, though more advanced than its predecessor the X-47A (pictured above). The future X-47C, which will debut in 2018, may combine reconnaissance and combat capabilities, and may enter the U.S Navy’s UAV fleet with a UCLASS rank.

The X-47B has completed more than 100 test flights, including takeoff and landing tests on an aircraft carrier. While all signs show that the UAV will soon become featured aircraft on U.S. Navy carriers, there is still some dispute over whether UAV’s can replace manned aircraft in real combat.

While the U.S. Navy still seems uncertain about the F-35C, which is ready to join the carrier fleet, some senior navy officers regard it as an immature move to have unmanned combat aircraft on board due to the extra logistical complications and lower reliability of UAV’s.

Hence, the "Sword" was developed more as a move in the technological race rather than as a move in the arms race. It is also too early to predict whether "Sword" aircraft will be placed aboard Chinese aircraft carriers in the future. The U.S. Navy's development of the X-47 series is simply viewed as a trial to help China avoid certain detours.

The PLA army, navy and air force each maintain several ongoing UAV projects. Wing Loong (Winged Dragon) a low-altitude, long-endurance drone, which resembles the U.S. MQ-9 "Reaper," is already in military service. Wing Loong is capable of carrying multiple weapons to attack surface targets.

 

[C130]

china always playing catch up

 

[terranMarine]

china always playing catch up

the west once played the catching up game, don't be surprised China will be highly innovative again in the future. Until then keep on smiling

 

[C130]

the west once played the catching up game, don't be surprised China will be highly innovative again in the future. Until then keep on smiling

it's more efficient and cheaper not to be innovative
why spend billions in R&D when you can steal the designs and add a few minor touches to make it your own

 

[terranMarine]

it's more efficient and cheaper not to be innovative
why spend billions in R&D when you can steal the designs and add a few minor touches to make it your own

Poor Americans, wasting so much money so we can take advantage of your expensive labor. You sure you don't mind?

 

[gubbi]

china always playing catch up

Such a stupid comparison indeed! These guys are still talking about "zig-zag" lines on the 'aircraft-body' when the "Sword" is just another remotely operated drone! They should know that the X-47B recently landed on an aircraft carrier, (IIRC) autonomously, twice and one attempt was aborted!!
True, they really have a lot of catching up to do!

 

[C130]

aaaaaaaaaaaaayee...don't hate the player hate the game

 

[Mugwop]

In order to copy something you need a sample of it,Need time to study it and duplicate the sub components.How can China copy what they didn't have??

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

In order to copy something you need a sample of it,Need time to study it and duplicate the sub components.How can China copy what they didn't have??

They think we have X-ray eyes, that we can just look at something from the outside, and figure out how to build all the internal components.

Just from looking at the outside.

I saw a picture of a space shuttle once, so now personally know how to replicate all the technologies inside it.

 

[BoQ77]

Is there not any better new design for drone ? why they keep copy other's appearance ?
X47B is a dangerous weapon when using on aircraft carrier.

 

[Jlaw]

Geeee already banned? well you heard your country man, just copy the American stuff it saves us money and time which is way more efficient than inventing something . Don't forget to open up your servers as our hackers can copy the stuff more efficiently.

The Americans might as well take their blue prints and sell it to us to make some serious money win-win, or we get it for free.

 

[terranMarine]

The Americans might as well take their blue prints and sell it to us to make some serious money win-win, or we get it for free.

Just learned yesterday MS gave China and other governments the source code of XP just to cash in more license. We are waiting when they will sell us the blueprints for F-22 , all we have to do is make some modifications and put a sticker "made in China'"

 

[GR!FF!N]

by the way,if I'm not wrong,X-47B is not going to serve USN as it is a demonstrator program.Navy will go for UCLASS drones,which will be based on the studies of these drones.

Navy Plans to Arm UCLASS with JDAMs | Defense Tech

but even Navy sees UCLASS as Tech Development program.I wonder what the final product will be..

Airforce is going for different drones.they're studied X-45C.they'll possibly use tailor made UCLASS for AF.

 

[trident2010]

No offense but cheap Chinese rip-offs can never match US state of the art products.
Good for internal consumption and churning more money though.