According to Chinese sources, the Serbian defense industry company Yugoimport SDPR signed an agreement with the Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (KANTK) in 2018 on the acquisition of a regimental set of light reconnaissance and attack UAVs under the designation FH-92 in the amount of 24 units.
These devices are designed for conducting reconnaissance during the day and at night, targeting for artillery, tracking mobile ground targets, as well as fighting enemy armored vehicles
Multifunctional medium-range UAV FH-95
In order to mislead foreign intelligence agencies when collecting and analyzing information on this issue, a significant part of Chinese open sources report that these UAVs were allegedly developed at the 11th Research Institute of KANTK (this research institute specializes in the development of large-scale reconnaissance and strike UAVs of the Rainbow series). In addition, to "confuse" foreign specialists, the Chinese side used the designation "CH" (CH-92A), which a significant number of observers associate with the UAV series "Rainbow", which is not true.
Antenna post in the control room of the FH-92 squadron
During the inspection, it was found that the FH series UAVs (20 models in total) are being developed by specialists from the Research Institute for the Design of UAV systems of the 9th KANTK Research Institute. It is known that the development of the FH-92 began in 2013. The first copy was presented at a parade in 2015 in Beijing, and in 2016 a wide range of specialists were able to get acquainted with this UAV at an exhibition in Zhuhai.
It is possible to specify the following TTX FH-92:
- – length: 4.1 m;
- – height: 1.6 m;
- – wingspan: 9 m;
- – maximum speed: 190 km/h;
- – Cruising speed: 120-160 km/h
- – practical ceiling: 7000 m;
- – cruising altitude: 1980-2500 m;
- – maximum take-off weight: 370 kg;
- – maximum combat load weight: 75 kg;
- – maximum flight duration: 10 hours;
- – time spent in the combat mission area: no more than 8 hours;
- – maximum control range by radio channel: 280 km; - practical control range by radio channel: 150 km.
The specified flight capabilities of this UAV are provided by a two-stroke gasoline engine with a capacity of 37.25 kW and a two-blade propeller. The tail is made according to a two-girder scheme. The wings are equipped with winglets, which have a positive effect on fuel efficiency.
The contract between the Republic of Serbia and the People's Republic of China for the purchase of these UAVs was signed in July 2019.
The control point of the FH-92 UAV
It is known that in 2019, in order to confirm the declared characteristics, the Chinese side conducted a demonstration of the combat capabilities of the FH-92. As part of this event, 5 UAVs (a squadron of minimal personnel) used 10 FT-8C ammunition against 10 different targets with a 100% accuracy of destruction.
Reconnaissance and strikes are possible thanks to an optoelectronic station with video cameras of daytime and thermal imaging modes, and the illumination of targets is provided by a laser designator. The maximum target detection range is 10 km.
The total cost was US$ 30 million. The cost of one FH-92 is $ 1 million (the price of "Pterodactyl–2" is $ 3 million), and one FT-8C bomb (semi-active laser GPS) is $50 thousand (for comparison, the cost of the American FGM-114 ATGM under export contracts varies from 120 to 200 thousand dollars.).
FT-8C bomb (weight 18 kg, maximum launch range 8.85 km)
This amount includes 24 UAVs in shipping containers, 72 adjustable FT-8C feathered bombs, three mobile control points, as well as 3 containers with sets of replaceable spare parts. It should be noted that the Chinese side, in order to conclude the contract, agreed to supply equipment in container design, while the trucks FAP2228 (wheel formula 6x6), which ensure the movement of squadrons or the entire regiment, were provided by the Serbian company Fabrika Automobila Priboj.
FH-92 UAV transport
It is known that the first batch of 6 FH-92 UAVs arrived in the Republic of Serbia on June 30, 2020. Drones were involved in exercises conducted in October of the same year. The second batch was delivered on April 11, 2022 as part of the delivery of the SD FK-3 air defense system division for RS air defense.
In fact, the only competitor to the FH-92 was the Turkish Bayraktar-TV2 UAV, but its cost reaches $ 5 million, which is unacceptable for the official Belgarad in conditions of a limited defense budget. According to Chinese sources, the cost of production of one Bayraktar-TV2 is $ 1 million. The main share of the final cost is occupied by the ground control complex of the Turkish UAV.
According to the information received, the Serbian side is currently negotiating with KANTK on the purchase of a batch of FH-95 model UAVs.
Based on the materials of Chinese specialized military-technical publications
