UAV Series 601-S (China)

The Sky Crossbow ( Sky Crossbow ; Tian-Nu or Tiannu, 天 弩) became the first (experimental unmanned) aircraft from the 601-S series, made according to the scheme of a flying wing . It was intended to gain experience in the design and application of UAVs of such a scheme in China. Although it was made according to the scheme of a flying wing, but it had two steering control surfaces , 2 inclined keels. Therefore, it was called an aircraft with 4 control surfaces, a flying wing with two keels ( Si duo-mian fei-yi jia shuang-chui-wei , 四 舵 面 飞 翼 加 双 垂尾).

Description: ^{[1] [2]}

• Length: 2.15 m.
• Wingspan: 2.2 m.
• Height: 0.6 m.
• Weight: 18.8 kg.
• Flight speed: 70–150 km / h.
• Engine: electric motor, which rotates the fan in the annular cowl ^[3]

The experimental model “ Wind Blade ” ( Wind Blade ; Feng-Ren or Fengren, 风刃) was a further development of the first experimental UAV (“Sky Crossbow”), and they were very similar. The main difference was the absence of keels (plumage) in the new model, replacing it with two control surfaces at the wingtips . ^{[1] [4] [5]} Such a design could reduce the radar visibility of an aircraft, and it was also used in another experimental aircraft, very similar to the NUAA Flying Wing UAV .

The development of the following experimental model of “Cloud Bow” ( Cloud Bow ; Yun-Gong or Yungong, 云 云) made it possible to achieve satisfactory results in the field of UAV flight control such as a flying wing without the use of wingtips to control flight (as on “Wind Blades”). The wingtips were removed, and the UAV was called the aircraft “ flying wing with 4 control surfaces” (si duo-mian fei-yi, 四 舵 面 飞 翼). ^{[1] [2]}

The experimental “War Eagle” model ( Warrior Eagle ; Zhan-Ying or Zhanying, 战鹰) was a further development of the “Cloud Bow”, differing from it in that the wing was reverse sweep . A number of Chinese Internet sources claimed that this UAV was intended for reconnaissance and even for military use (perhaps these allegations will become true in the future). But the developer of the aircraft, demonstrating it at various exhibitions, said that the main goal in the development was to study the controllability of an aircraft with reverse sweep wings. With the successful solution of the problem, it was planned to create new combat and reconnaissance models of the same scheme. ^[6]

The Sharp Sword or Liyan model ( Sharp Sword or Keen Sword ; Li-Jian or Lijian, 利剑) was developed jointly by SYADI, SAU and Hongdu Aviation Industry Group (HAIG). ^[7] . The model is a further development of the "Dark Sword" (dimensions increased). This impact drone became one of two models that went beyond experimental research. According to ^[8], flight tests of this vehicle were carried out in ~ 2014 at the airport near the Hongdu factory. Externally, the aircraft is similar to the American X-47B ( inconspicuous , the scheme of a flying wing). The payload is unknown. It is assumed that it is intended for reconnaissance, and in the long term - for delivering strikes against ground targets. ^[9] An UAV-mounted engine (Russian origin) RD-93 (the same as on the FC-1 / JF-17 manned aircraft) is installed. Wingspan of about 14 m, length - about 8 m. ^{[10] [11]} On November 21, 2013, Liyan made a 20-minute flight, taking off from the Hundu company airfield. ^{[12] [13] The} flight navigation system uses the Beidou national satellite system. ^[14]

The experience gained in the design and application of the previously mentioned models of this UAV series was used in the development of the Dark Sword model ( Dark Sword ; An-Jian or Anjian, 暗 剑). ^[14] This model differed from those described earlier in that in its development the main attention was paid not to low radar visibility, but to an increase in maneuverability. When describing the model, Chinese Internet sources greatly exaggerated its characteristics. ^[15] The developers stated that the main goal was to create a hypersonic unmanned aircraft with low visibility and high maneuverability. It is believed that this new model of a drone in the distant future will be able to be used for reconnaissance and combat. To increase the maneuverability for this aircraft, a duck design and a two-tail tail were selected. ^{[15] [16]}

Among the series of unmanned aerial vehicles of the AVIC 601-S series, there is an experimental model with a variable-shape wing ( Shape Varying UAV ; Bian-ti Wu-ren-ji, 变 体 无人机). This UAV was first shown at the 7th air show in Shanghai in 2008. When creating the model, we used the experience gained in the development of previous models. The purpose of the development is the study of an unmanned aircraft with a variable-shape wing. ^[17] An increase in wing size improves flight performance at a low flight speed, while a decrease in size reduces air resistance at a high flight speed. When developing this UAV, instead of the usual sweep change in such cases, the designers corrected the “folding wing” ^[18] . As with other unmanned aerial vehicles of the series, the air intake hole for the engine is located above the fuselage .

Using great economic and technological potential, the PRC is making active efforts to create a high-tech and combat-ready army, including through the development of the production of unmanned combat aircraft ^[19] . So, 4 years after the first drone was shown at the air show in Zhuhai , in 2010 there were already shown 25 models for various purposes ^[20] . This causes reasonable concern - and not only in the west ^[21] , but also in the Russian Federation ^[22] . The scope of the possible use of military UAVs is shown in the program ^[23] .

• YouTube video recording of Liyan flight

• Chengdu xianglong
• ASN-206 (UAV)
• Tsayhun-5
• AVIC Cloud Shadow