【Wen/Observer Net Wang Shipchun】Foreign media have begun to pay attention to the situation of our carrier-based drones on board. According to the U.S. "The War Zone" website, an article published on December 28 reported that the latest photos circulating on social media show various types of drones near the Sichuan Ship, a Type 076 amphibious assault ship located at the Shanghai Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard. Some of these drones have a shape similar to the "unmanned air superiority aircraft" that appeared during the September 3rd parade.

The "War Zone" website commented that it is unclear whether these are real drones or scale models, but this is another piece of evidence that the Type 076 amphibious ship will be able to support advanced aerial unmanned combat operations.

The unmanned wingman (above) circulating on social media; satellite images show several similar unmanned wingmen near the Type 076.

The drones appearing near the Type 076 are a single-engine, V-shaped twin vertical tail and lambda wing, stealth configuration drone with an internal weapons bay, similar to the "air superiority drone" that appeared during the September 3rd parade. The "War Zone" website said that this is an aircraft roughly equivalent to the U.S. Air Force's "Collaborative Combat Aircraft" (CCA) program, but unlike the CCA, this type of drone has a naval version.

The initial photo only showed the rear of this drone, while new images show the full view of the drone. This drone is covered with a waterproof tarp, located behind the "container armory ship." Other photos also confirmed that at least one stealth air superiority drone has boarded the deck of the Type 076 amphibious assault ship.

Subsequently, commercial satellite images purchased by foreigners showed that there were a total of six similar stealth unmanned wingmen near the Type 076 amphibious assault ship, as well as one medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV that looked more like the Yilong family.

This carrier-based long-range UAV is similar to the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) "Gray Eagle" short takeoff and landing reconnaissance and strike UAV, which can be used for aircraft carrier operations. The UK, Japan, and the United States all plan to purchase this type of UAV.

However, the "War Zone" website believes that these drones are most likely scale models, especially considering their large number and variety. China uses scale models extensively on land and at sea to assist in developing the capabilities of carrier-based aircraft and amphibious assault ships.

Previously, satellite photos showed that a scale model of the attack-21 stealth UAV had appeared inside the Hudong Shipyard, which is known to be a drone model that the Type 076 amphibious assault ship will carry. The recent appearance of long-range UAVs and stealth air superiority drones is indeed a supplement to the attack-21 UAV.

However, the "War Zone" website is more concerned that the attack-21 UAV might be deployed on China's actual aircraft carriers, including the Fujian Ship, a carrier equipped with a catapult that was commissioned last month, and China's fourth aircraft carrier currently under construction - reportedly this fourth carrier will use nuclear power. According to the Pentagon's recently released "China Military Power Report," China is expected to build six more aircraft carriers by 2035, which would give the Chinese Navy a total of nine aircraft carriers.

It is currently unclear. Evidence that appeared at the end of October showed that there was a red catapult test car on the deck of the Sichuan Ship, a small vehicle used to test the catapult. This also means that the Type 076 amphibious assault ship has begun testing its only catapult, but it is unclear when the Type 076 amphibious assault ship will first launch carrier-based aircraft.

Nevertheless, the presence of these drones or drone models at the Hudong-Zhonghua dock proves that China is proceeding along its established path: the Chinese are deploying a large number of different types of drones on various warships with aviation capabilities.

This article is an exclusive article from Observer Net. Without permission, it cannot be reprinted.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7589124505281364518/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.