Unmanned aerial vehicles are confidently taking their rightful place in the arsenals of armies around the world. The successes of this new means of armed struggle attract the attention of both military experts and the general public interested in military issues. This material opens a series of articles about PLA UAVs, namely modern Chinese artillery reconnaissance systems.
An updated version of the PLA JWP series UAV
In 2020, the reconnaissance companies of the artillery brigades of the 72nd, 74th, 75th and 82nd combined arms armies of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) received sets of new reconnaissance UAVs of the JWP02 model (export designation ASN206), which are designed to perform the following tasks:
- conducting reconnaissance during the day and at night using optoelectronic devices and radio equipment;
- monitoring the operational situation in combat areas;
- jamming using an on-board electronic warfare system;
- detection of ground targets and transmission of guidance data for artillery;
- implementation of visual control of target damage;
- Patrolling the routes of artillery batteries and divisions;
- collecting data on the use of chemical or bacteriological weapons by the enemy, as well as monitoring the radiation situation.
Launch of the JWP02 (ASN206) UAV from the launcher
The last point indicates that Chinese military experts have borrowed the experience of the armed conflict in Syria, in which one of the parties may suddenly use toxic substances both for the purpose of performing combat missions and as part of an information confrontation.
In addition to the reconnaissance modification, a variant of a light tactical flying radio and cellular repeater of the 5G standard has been developed – the designation TKJ226 has been assigned.
It should be noted that similar drones have been adopted by the PLA Navy, namely distributed among the frigates of project 054A "Jiangkai II". These UAVs allow the crews of surface ships of the PLA Navy to expand the visual surveillance zone and escort ships of a potential enemy in the optical range during the day and at night.
Frigate of project 054A "Jiangkai II"
It is well known that the JWP02 reconnaissance UAV was developed by specialists of the 365th Scientific Research Department of the Northwestern Industrial University of China (Shaanxi province, Xian city), which is also known as Xian ASN Technology Group Company.
The analysis of photos and videos allows us to highlight the following points. Firstly, the JWP02 modification retained the high–wing design with a straight wing and two tail fins. The case is completely made of composite materials. Stainless steel is used in the manufacture of the internal spatial frame of the engine compartment. The average service life is 5 years. The launch of the UAV from the guide provides a solid-fuel single-use launch. The return is possible due to the parachute system.
Table 1 shows the main tactical and technical characteristics of the JWP02 UAV in comparison with the parameters of the previous JWP01 model.
Table 1
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| Comparison of performance characteristics of reconnaissance UAVs JWP02 and JWP01. |
| Source: invoen.ru |
Secondly, for the model, the designers of Xian ASN Technology Group Company have developed a new model of a two-stroke four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine under the designation HS-700EA with an electronic control system for all operating parameters.
Due to an increase in the working volume from 690 cm3 to 750 cm3, changes in the structure of the fuel system and the use of a new turbine, the designers managed to increase the power of the power plant from 51 to 80 hp. The increase in power had a positive effect on such indicators as range, speed and duration of flight. To further improve the efficiency, the UAV is planned to be equipped with a new three-bladed propeller.
This motor transmits the torque to a two-blade composite screw. An on-board 280 Watt generator provides power to electronic equipment at a voltage of 28 Volts.
The JWP02 UAV performs the tasks mentioned above using the following set of optoelectronic equipment located in a rotating hemispherical body in the nose of the device:
- three CCD standard day mode cameras;
- daytime TV camera;
- night mode TV camera – thermal imager;
- laser rangefinder.
If necessary, a side-view reconnaissance radar or an electronic warfare system can be mounted on the device.
One squadron of JWP02 reconnaissance UAVs consists of 10 vehicles, however, 6 vehicles are being prepared for launch at a time, while the remaining 4 are a reserve in case of failure of one of the vehicles or, if necessary, long–term surveillance in the combat patrol area with a radius of 150 km.
The JWP02 UAV squadron is moving to the launch area on MV3 type trucks. To fulfill the assigned tasks, the unit includes the following vehicles: a control center; a communications post; an electric generator; a launcher; an intelligence processing center; a repair shop; and a vehicle for transporting UAVs.
PLA Army vehicle type MV3
The preparation of the UAV for launch is carried out by a team of seven military personnel. The preparation time for the restart is 60 minutes.
Summing up the above, it seems possible to assert that the Chinese military will continue to adopt the JWP02 UAV due to its reasonable cost, high efficiency and reliability, which was established during the operation of the previous model, the JWP01, which entered service back in 1996. Due to its small size, low radar and thermal visibility, the JWP02 UAV can be used as a reconnaissance aircraft in the interests of motorized rifle and armored units.
There is a high probability that in the near future, the PLA border guard units stationed in the Tibetan military region will receive JWP02 to patrol the line of actual control and monitor the activity of the Indian Armed Forces in the area of Lake Pangun-tso and the Galvan River Valley.
The new Sky Saker FX500 high-speed reconnaissance UAV of the new PLA MLRS
According to Chinese sources, since August 2020, the reconnaissance units of the artillery brigades (PLA Army artillery brigades) The Western Military District (Western Military Region), equipped with mobile multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) of 122 and 300 mm caliber, uses high-speed reconnaissance UAVs (high speed recom UAV) under the designation Sky Saker FX500 as part of exercises conducted at training grounds in Tibet (used during exercises in Tibet and Xinjiang) and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. the area.
PLA Sky Saker FX500 UAV
These UAVs were developed by designers from Nanjing Aerospace University (Nanjing Aerospace University) commissioned by NORINCO Corp. based on samples and documentation from American-made reconnaissance UAVs, namely BQM-145 and Scarab. Probably, the launch weight of the Sky Saker FX500 UAV is about 500 kg.
The development of Chinese specialists is characterized by extremely low radar and optical visibility. This is achieved through the use of composite materials and special camouflage paint, as well as the constructive arrangement of the S-shaped air intake on the upper plane of the UAV and the use of a V-shaped tail. In addition, the fuselage of the device has a minimum number of antennas and protruding parts, which also has a positive effect on its stealth.
The Sky Saker FX500 UAV is equipped with a turbofan engine, which provides a maximum speed of about 800 km/h. The flight duration does not exceed two hours, due to the low fuel supply. The practical ceiling is 9,000 m, and the combat radius is 300-350 km.
Since this device is designed exclusively to perform operational tasks of artillery reconnaissance, i.e. detection and laser illumination of targets, visual monitoring of the results, followed by withdrawal from the firing area, the payload mass does not exceed 50 kg.
The launch of the UAV is provided by a solid-fuel rocket booster and an inclined ramp mounted on a truck with a 6x6 wheel formula. The length of the UAV is 4 m, the wingspan is not more than 6 m. The return is provided by a special net for catching a drone that lacks a wheeled or ski landing gear.
300mm MLRS PHL-03 PLA
The Sky Saker FX500 is equipped with an optoelectronic reconnaissance and guidance system (in a rotatable semicircular housing). The equipment includes a high-resolution digital video camera and a laser designator. The use of the latter made it possible to reduce the coefficient of probable deviation for MLRS of 300mm caliber to almost 0 (very high precision strike). It is thanks to the Sky Saker FX500 UAV that Chinese gunners can hit up to 12 and PHL-16 (370 mm caliber) single stationary ground targets with a single MLRS installation.
One group of UAVs consists of 3 devices placed on mobile launchers. The unit also includes one control vehicle, one vehicle for transporting personnel, one generator, a repair shop and one tanker truck with aviation fuel. All vehicles are mounted on a chassis with a 6x6 wheel formula of the SX2190 series.
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