China has unveiled its new stealth drone to the world. It's believed to be China's next-generation bomber. The sighting comes after several new drones were unveiled during a Beijing military parade.
Beijing: China has once again captured the world's attention with its new modern weapon. China's new combat flying-wing drone has been spotted flying for the first time. It is believed to be a next-generation pilotless bomber. Videos of this large, stealthy, cranked-kite drone are circulating on Chinese social media. It is informally called the GJ-X. It has also attracted attention from the United States, as it poses a challenge to American bombers in its class. It could also be a cause for concern for India.
According to a report in The War Zone, the aircraft is a bomber or a similar design. A similar weapon was captured in satellite imagery taken at China's Malan Airbase in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in August. The aircraft at Malan Base has a wingspan of 42 meters (138 feet), placing it in the rare category of unmanned stealth aircraft.
China's new weapon is about the same size as the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider, an American stealth strategic bomber. Its wingspan is 40-42 meters. Currently under development, the B-21 is expected to be capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads. Together with the B-52, it will form the backbone of the future US bomber force.
The purpose of the new Chinese drone is not yet clear. According to reports, some military observers said it was a large, operational-focused unmanned combat aircraft. Others are calling it an unmanned stealth bomber. Chen Xi, a Chinese military observer and commentator for Shenzhen TV, said the drone spotted at the Malan base was a medium-range strategic bomber.
What the expert saidChen said the next-generation H-20 bomber hasn't been released yet, but we now have a strategic-level medium-range bomber similar in size to the B-21. In 2016, China announced the development of a new long-range bomber. It was later named the H-20 stealth bomber.
The War Zone report said the aircraft seen in the photos from the Malan base had split rudders similar to those of the American B-2 stealth bomber. A small, off-center bulge was seen on the jet's tail, suggesting it was a twin-engine design. This new model is one of several new unmanned aircraft being tested by China.
What is the specialtyThe GJ-X's design bears a striking resemblance to a drone called the CH-7 or Caihong-7, which was showcased at China's Zhuhai Air Show in November last year. According to a Xinhua report in May, the CH-7 drone has a wingspan of 27.3 meters, a maximum take-off weight of 8 tons, and a cruise speed of Mach 0.5, making it a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft.
PC:NBT
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