The People’s Liberation Army Navy of China has begun deploying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) aboard its ships. China has been interested in developing UAVs since the 1960s when it shot down a US Air Force Ryan Firebee unmanned jet propelled reconnaissance aircraft. China is believed to have constructed a prototype of WuZhen-5 through reverse engineering effort. In 2006, China displayed a model of the indigenously built drone at the Zhuhai Air Show and now every major manufacturer for the Chinese military has a research centre devoted to drones. Chinese interest in advanced UAV technology continues as she has reportedly requested for access to the US RQ-170 Sentinel stealth UAV that was brought down in Iran last year. Chinese hackers have also been spying on the US Department of Defense to obtain information on UAV strategy and other related data. China is also reported considering building less advanced UAVs for the export market.
Defence Industry
UAVs in the Chinese Navy
Issue
Vol 27.3 Jul-Sep 2012 | Date : 14 Sep , 2012
Rate this Article
About the Author
More by the same author
- Empowering Edge Intelligence: Teledyne FLIR Introduces AVP, Revolutionizing...
- Shaping the Future by DRDO: Exploring Exoskeleton Technologies and Challenges
- Forging Bonds of Strength: The 5th Edition of India-Uzbekistan Joint...
- Success of Indigenous Innovation with Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile...
- Operation Meghdoot: India's Conquest of the Siachen Glacier