Attack-11 UAV with foldable wings to be deployed on aircraft carriers

The Chinese Attack-11 stealth unmanned combat aircraft has recently shown a new appearance, with its foldable wing hinges being particularly eye-catching. According to a military news website (Army Recognition), this development means that the Attack-11 UAV will be deployed on the Sichuan and Fujian aircraft carriers in the future, expected to become the world's first operational carrier-based stealth UAV, which will greatly expand the Chinese Navy's long-range operations and reconnaissance capabilities, changing the future of naval warfare.

The Attack-11 project started in 2009, designed based on a tailless flying wing layout, featuring stealth characteristics that reduce radar signals. Its flight speed can reach subsonic, with a combat radius exceeding 1500 kilometers, covering most of the East China Sea and South China Sea. It has two internal weapon bays, capable of carrying up to 2000 kilograms of weapons. In addition, it is said that the Attack-11 also has high levels of automation and artificial intelligence assistance, enabling it to independently carry out combat missions without human intervention. In 2022, it was photographed flying alongside the J-20 stealth fighter, implying that it could serve as a "faithful wingman," performing reconnaissance, strike, or decoy missions.

According to the military website, the Attack-11's wings clearly show foldable hinges designed for carrier operations, which allows it to be deployed in the limited space of a ship's deck and hangar. Furthermore, previous satellite images revealed that full-scale aircraft carrier test facilities in Wuhan and the new base at Changxing Island have shown physical models of the Attack-11, revealing that the Attack-11 will soon be deployed on the aircraft carrier decks. With both the Sichuan and Fujian aircraft carriers equipped with electromagnetic catapults, the conditions for the Attack-11 to be deployed on board are gradually being met.

Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1844312885266503/

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