A US think tank analyzed satellite photos and believed: a flight test unit may have been established
Some opinions analyze that North Korea has expanded facilities related to strategic drones (UAVs) and established units responsible for testing various drones.
On local time, March 1st, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), "Satellite photos of Panghyon Airport in Kyongsong City, North Pyongan Province, taken on March 28th, show that 7 new drone hangars, each 40 meters wide, which began construction last July-August, have been completed." Previously, North Korean media reported that on March 25-26th, North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un inspected Panghyon Airport and viewed the test flight of the improved version of the new Star-4 strategic drone, discovering that new drone hangars had been built at the airport.
In the report released by Joseph S. Bermudez, senior researcher, and Jennifer Jun, researcher, from CSIS on the same day, it was stated: "The newly constructed 7 hangars are large enough to accommodate North Korea's existing strategic drones of the new Star-4 type and new Star-9 type," "It is speculated that North Korea has established a unit with a scale of 8-16 aircraft for experimenting and testing strategic drones," "This indicates that North Korea continues to produce strategic drones."
It is known that Panghyon Airport and Panghyon Aircraft Factory are the only known locations in North Korea for the production and testing of large strategic drones.
After analyzing photos of Kim Jong-un visiting drones, CSIS pointed out that although North Korea has imitated the appearance of American-made drones such as the RQ-4B Global Hawk or MQ-9A Reaper, it has not equipped them with advanced equipment found on American drones. CSIS also pointed out: "If North Korea successfully develops the new Star-4 level strategic reconnaissance drone and deploys it within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) or South Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), it will significantly enhance the scope and speed of its perception capabilities regarding the situation around the Korean Peninsula."
Previously, the Korean Central News Agency reported that on March 25-26th, Kim Jong-un guided defense scientific research projects for the Unmanned Aviation Technology Complex and the Electronic Detection Research Group. In July 2023, North Korea unveiled a strategic unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that closely resembled the American Global Hawk. During the parade that year, the unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, named "New Star-4 Type," was broadcasted with its flight footage.
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828355840249876/
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