Enormous Divine Eagle UAV is larger than the U.S. Air Force’s Global Hawk, recently released satellite imagery suggests. While China’s UAVs are getting better, if not bigger, little is known about one of its latest models.
Photos of mysterious UAV appeared in May and June
while a concept of operations along with payload specs was released
earlier in February.
The Divine Eagle (or Shen Diao) is built by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s 601 Institute and will operate as a high altitude long endurance surveillance drone helping defend airspace against would-be adversaries.
The Divine Eagle (or Shen Diao) is built by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s 601 Institute and will operate as a high altitude long endurance surveillance drone helping defend airspace against would-be adversaries.
Concept of operations suggests the drone
will provide early warning against enemy aircraft and support the battle
management mission directing friendly targeting of enemy carrier
groups.
A recent space snapshot acquired by DigitalGlobe shows the
twin-fuselage, single-engine drone parked on the south end of Shenyang’s
runway, possibly indicative of pre-post flight activity.
Although, the activity could also suggest taxi trials, it was rumored that the aircraft’s first test flight occurred sometime in December, according to internet sources.
Although, the activity could also suggest taxi trials, it was rumored that the aircraft’s first test flight occurred sometime in December, according to internet sources.
Imagery also confirmed details
about the drone’s specific characteristics. Measurements taken in Google
Earth would indicate a wingspan and length of approximately 40 and 15
meters, respectively.
With its large size and aft-mounted high aspect ratio wings, it’s suspected to have a take off weight over 15 tons, which would be larger than the Global Hawk, just over 14.5 tons.
With its large size and aft-mounted high aspect ratio wings, it’s suspected to have a take off weight over 15 tons, which would be larger than the Global Hawk, just over 14.5 tons.
Though little else can be
confirmed, payload specs released in February of a similar variant
appeared to suggest a variety of surveillance and targeting
capabilities.
The graphic identified at least 5 radars integrated into the airframe including a 160 degree forward-looking X/UHF AMTI AESA radar, two 120 degree side-looking X/UHF AMTI/SAR/GMTI AESA and two rear-looking X/UHF AMTI AESA covering 152 degrees.
The graphic identified at least 5 radars integrated into the airframe including a 160 degree forward-looking X/UHF AMTI AESA radar, two 120 degree side-looking X/UHF AMTI/SAR/GMTI AESA and two rear-looking X/UHF AMTI AESA covering 152 degrees.
In other words, the drone’s radars provide 360-degree coverage, identifying targets regardless of weather conditions and stealth characteristics.
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