The Chinese drone Feihong 95 will hunt other people's UAVs and make its own invisible
China has tested the Feihong 95 drone, also known as the "Flying Swan". It is capable of performing not only reconnaissance and strike functions, but also using electronic warfare - electronic warfare. This UAV has already become interested in a number of countries. "Newspaper.Ru" understood the peculiarities of the Chinese drone.
Feihong 95 has a take-off weight of 1000 kg and can lift more than 250 kg of payload. In the air, the Flying Swan is able to be under the control of an operator for about 24 hours and perform various functions - from shock to reconnaissance. But its main feature is that it carries electronic warfare equipment.
"Along with other UAVs, the Flying Swan performs traditional missions - armed reconnaissance, border patrol, surveillance of the marine area. And Feihong 95 also works with a "swarm" of drones, while other drones perform various combat missions, the Flying Swan covers them all with its electronic warfare complex," the Chinese newspaper The Global Times notes.
The availability of electronic warfare and the ability to cover the airspace with them from the enemy's influence is declared by the PRC as the main advantage of Feihong 95. Because of this feature, which was widely advertised by Beijing, a whole queue of buyers lined up for their purchase - from Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Iran, a number of countries in South America and North Africa. China launched a powerful advertising campaign, invited foreign military personnel to visit it.
Chinese drone Feihong 95 "Flying Swan"
Image Source: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
- I told the newspaper.Ru" member of the Board of Military Experts Sergey Belousov.
At the same time, the expert added that the parameters of electronic warfare equipment that Chinese gunsmiths install on the Feihong 95 are not officially disclosed. "In any case, it won't be something really powerful. This means that it will not be 100% effective. On the other hand, China is thus opening a new page in the history of drones. Previously, drones were just most afraid of interference created by electronic warfare. And now, it turns out, the UAV itself will create interference," Belousov added.
In turn, military columnist and publicist Vladislav Shurygin notes that Moscow in the future can compete with Beijing in the market of drones equipped with electronic warfare.
"If we talk about the equipment of UAVs with electronic warfare systems, which significantly enhance their combat use, then Russia may well compete with Chinese products. Our developments here are much better and more efficient, but for them there is not yet such a number of unmanned carriers that China is able to offer. For example, the Khibiny electronic warfare system is installed on a Su-24 front-line bomber, but the Pacer UAV no longer pulls it. The situation can be changed by Hunter drones, which will take on board not only the station, but also a decent ammunition of missiles and guided bombs," he told the newspaper.Ru" Shurygin.
The problem of the proliferation of Chinese drones with the possibility of using electronic warfare systems has caused particular concern in the United States. "This is certainly a challenge for the United States Army. It is not a fact that we will have to fight with China. But, perhaps, we will have to fight with those to whom China will sell Feihong 95," the American Defense News portal noted. The portal stressed that the Pentagon today does not have mobile electronic warfare systems that can be installed on a drone.
Military expert Boris Jerelievsky, for his part, added that the United States is at risk not only militarily, but also economically.
"The United States, betting on the supply of its drones exclusively to its close allies, has frankly lost the drone game. This niche was filled by Turkish Bayraktars, partly by Israeli drones, but Chinese manufacturers are the most active. China takes not only mass production and relatively low price, but also good fighting qualities and potential. I am sure that the "Flying Swan" will be in steady demand now. Moreover, the uniqueness of this offer may be of interest to traditional US customers. Yes, and already interested. The Saudis want to buy this UAV, which were previously purchased according to the profile of drones only and exclusively from Washington," he told the newspaper.En" Jerelievsky.
Victor Sokirko
