18 janvier 2021 | International, Aérospatial
China's new WJ-700 high-altitude, long-endurance and high-speed armed reconnaissance drone successfully completed its maiden flight earlier this week.
The “rare type” drone is capable of executing both attack and reconnaissance missions in China, according to a statement the Third Academy of the state-owned arms firm China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) sent to the Global Times.
First unveiled at Airshow China in 2018, the WJ-700 is expected to have a maximum take-off weight of 3,500 kg, with a maximum endurance of 20 hours.
It is capable of performing air-to-surface precision strikes in multiple situations such as stand-off ground attacks, anti-ship, and anti-radiation attacks, the statement said, noting that it will “create a new pattern for drone combat.”
China wants to begin selling the drones to domestic and international market needs in the next five to 10 years.
Compared to other popular drones, the distinguishing characteristic of the WJ-700 is its large size, meaning it has an outstanding payload capacity that allows it to carry larger munitions like anti-ship missiles and stand-off weapons that enable the drone to launch attacks from outside of an enemy anti-aircraft fire coverage zone, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert, said.
Key tactical and even strategic battlefield hubs, including radar installations, warships and command centers could be targets of the WJ-700, analysts said.
The WJ-700 could deliver diverse combat missions in high-threat battlefield environments with its precision combat and wide-area reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. After completing various system-level tests and verifications, it will be officially put into combat applications, the academy said.
19 septembre 2024 | International, Aérospatial
The military grounded Ospreys after a fatal crash in November 2023, and Air Force Special Operations Command is gradually returning them to the air.
21 novembre 2024 | International, C4ISR, Sécurité
More than 145,000 internet-exposed ICS devices found globally, revealing significant vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
30 septembre 2019 | International, Naval
ByTauren Dyson Sept. 26 (UPI) -- The Navy will exercise the last option on a previously awarded contract to fund operation and maintenance of six maritime vessels. Crowley Government Services will receive $49.3 million to perform work on five USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo-class vessels and the USNS GySgt Fred W. Stockham, the Department of Defense said Wednesday. The vessels support the global prepositioning requirements of the Military Sealift Command, which is responsible for transporting U.S. military assets, as well as handling transportation for other agencies of the government. The Fred W. Stockham is more than 900 feet long and provides roll-on/roll-off sealift ship cargo services. The USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo is the lead ship in the John P. Bobo-class and can carry a 30-day supply of cargo for a Marines Air-Ground Task Force. This modification is the fourth and last option in a previous agreement. Work on the new contract will be performed at sea throughout the world and should be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/09/26/Navy-awards-493M-for-work-on-six-cargo-ships