Sirius - Defence News & Analysis Group

02/04/2019

Israel has unveiled their previously classified F-35F Nebekh Joint Social Media Fighter (JSMF). The new rear seat position in the two-seat F-35F Nebekh is occupied by the SMO or Social Media Officer. The modification is in response to threats to the F-35 in the social media space. Gen Hadir Uffani of the IDF told reporters, “The F-35’s primary threats exist in the social media space, so we have made a special variant of the Joint Strike Fighter to counter this threat in real-time.”

The SMO suite consists of integrated sensor fusion that monitors Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat for flamers leveling criticism against the Joint Strike Fighter program. When critical social media posts from internet know-it-alls and trolls are detected, the system can respond in real-time by assigning a massive arsenal of cat memes to interdict the threat. The cat memes are stored in a special, low-observable internal hard drive in the aircraft’s stealthy weapons’ bay.



“In one early operational deployment against an actual flamer from Menlo Park, California who had read a magazine article and several blog posts before leveling criticism against the program, the F-35F was able to deploy a series of precision guided Grumpy Cat memes with a high degree of effectiveness,” an unnamed source told TheAviationist.com.

There has been a downside to the program however. When the new AN/APG-345 SMMS (Social Media Monitoring System) was updated to the Block VII sensor fusion status, the aircraft began to monitor Tinder users. In an accidental case of collateral social media posting, a number of French Rafales started hitting on the F-35 for one night stands, apparently in adoration of the aircraft’s low-observable lines.

Another significant improvement to the new Israeli F-35F Nebekh Joint Social Media Fighter (JSMF) is the Integrated Selfie-Camera (ISC) update to the AN/AAQ-37(S) Electro-optical Distributed Selfie System. This helmet mounted selfie camera can produce Instagram and Snapchat images of flight crews with the actuation of a single touchscreen display. The advanced, integrated avionics also insert relevant hashtags to the selfies after automatically Photoshop-ing flight crews to look their best before auto-posting.

There have been rumors that Israel was testing a new long-range Precision Guided Unfriending Munition (P-GUM) to launch targeted attacks on social media trolls, but Israel has declined to comment on this aspect of the program, citing security concerns.

18/03/2019

ASELSAN’s EJDERHATM – High Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) System generates extremely high-amplitude electromagnetic fields in specific frequencies and directs them to the potential targets such as electronic circuits of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with its specially designed directional antenna-reflector set and has the effect on these targets such as suppression, predetonation resetting the control system, durable blocking, stopping the operation.

Consisting of a high power DC charger, a Marx Generator, an antenna and a reflector, the HPEM System generates high-frequency high-power electromagnetic waves by releasing instantaneous (in ns) high energy pulses.

EJDERHATM’s unmanned ground vehicle configuration provides the EOD personnel with the capability of performing Remote Attack at a safe distance in IED Disposal (IEDD) operations. Moreover, EJDERHATM’s portable configuration can be used in protection against eavesdropping devices (covert listening devices) by performing Clearance/Neutralization of bugs in offices, meeting rooms, embassies, diplomatic posts behind/inside walls or furniture.

17/03/2019

07/03/2019

The leading aviation manufacturer of the domestic defense industry, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) continues its efforts to meet the country’s demand for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems. As reported on UASWeekly.com, the engine of Turkey’s new UAV Anka-2, which will have a higher payload capacity than the current UAVs, delivered a successful performance during testing. The brand new Anka-2 is expected to make its first flight this year.
Having previously developed the advanced Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) class unmanned aerial system, TAI introduced the Anka Blok-B UAV, which has an endurance of more than 24 hours, a payload capacity of 200 kilograms and can fly at a maximum altitude of 30,000 feet. By benefiting from the capabilities of Anka-B, TAI also developed Anka-S that can be controlled via satellite and has a task range of thousands of kilometers and brought it into the country’s inventory.
The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) currently has eight Anka-S’s in its inventory. At a previous defense industry committee meeting, the decision to provide 22 UAVs for the military was taken. Accordingly, 16 Anka-S’s and six Anka B’s will be delivered to the security forces. The timeframe for the delivery has not been disclosed.
TAI has launched the Anka-2 project with its own resources to develop the new UAV with a higher payload capacity. The Anka-2 is the twin-engine version of Anka-S. The mid-altitude, long endurance, double-engine Anka-2 can conduct a range of missions such as real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). With a 25,000-feet altitude range and a 24-hour flight time, Anka-2 can carry more than 700 kilograms in payload.
The engine used in the development process of Anka-2 will be replaced by the PD170 turbo diesel aerospace engine developed by Turkish Engine Industries (TEI) and will operate with the Anka-2 domestic engine. The PD170 engine successfully completed its first flight with Anka in December 2018. In a statement to Anadolu Agency (AA), TAI General Manager Temel Kotil said their projects focus on meeting the needs of the allied countries, especially the TSK, with their engineering power and design capabilities, stressing that they have launched the Anka-2 Project with their own resources with this approach.

01/03/2019

I.A.F wng commander served tea in officers Mess

28/02/2019

The remains of AIM-120C5 AMRAAM Serial Number: FA8675-05-C-0070 was sold to Taiwan Air Force, not Pakistan. We highly recommend that R&AW should hire the ISI as its consultant so they don't get caught so damn always.

21/02/2019

Successful air defence demands a holistic approach. As Europe’s foremost maker of military systems and equipment, Rheinmetall’s approach involves networking all relevant sensors, effectors and C4I assets into a single, scalable “system of systems”. This creates a highly effective, modular and flexible ground-based air defence system covering the full mission spectrum. Here the Düsseldorf-based high-tech group is cooperating closely with America’s Raytheon.
Effective short-range air defence (SHORAD) requires a total system concept. As an experienced SHORAD supplier, Rheinmetall’s approach calls for a mix of automatic cannons and guided missiles, soon to be augmented with high-energy laser weapons as well as directed energy (high-power microwave). At IDEX 2019, Rheinmetall is showcasing its new total system concept.

Forming the basis here is the Oerlikon Skynex, the Rheinmetall Group’s ground-based, fully networked future air defence system. It features open, modular architecture, forging a wide array of sensors and effectors into a highly effective, extensively automated system. Centralized and decentralized operation and command are equally possible, and the system can be configured for either a tactical or an operational role. Highly mobile, Skynex is ready for action in very short order. This makes it ideal for defending sensitive infrastructure and areas from virtually every form of aerial threat, both symmetric and asymmetric – around the clock and in all weather conditions. It instantly detects incoming rockets and artillery and mortar (RAM) rounds and even very small drones, engaging them with scalable intensity.

The core element of Skynex is the Oerlikon Skymaster command and control system, which stays in contact with the other subsystems via a tactical communications network. This means that Rheinmetall can integrate assets such as Skyshield or Skyguard fire units, guided missile launchers or even high-energy laser (HEL) effectors into the system.

At IDEX 2019, Rheinmetall is presenting its innovative Skynex air defence system teamed with the X-TAR3D search radar, the Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3, a Cheetah guided missile launcher and a HEL effector.

The Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 is designed first and foremost for short- and very shortrange ground-based air defence. Remotely operated and network-capable, the system can receive and process target data from both 2D and 3D search radars and is equipped with tracking sensors such as an X-band tracking radar as well as electro-optical sensors and electronic warfare components. This assures fast, autonomous processing of externally assigned target data and enables swift, autonomous engagement of such targets.

Furthermore, the integrated search sensor technology gives the gun system an autonomous sector-monitoring and target engagement capability. The tried-and-tested cal. 35 mm x 228 revolver gun delivers massive firepower and excellent precision. Teamed with Rheinmetall’s proprietary Ahead airburst ammunition, the Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3 is extremely effective
against low altitude aerial targets of virtually every type. It can neutralize incoming rockets as well as mortar rounds – but also unmanned aerial systems, including the low, slow and small (LSS) kind, e.g. quadrocopter drones and it is also highly effective against low-flying aircraft. It can be deployed in a multitude of ways. At IDEX 2019, visitors can see it mounted on a high-mobility HX77 hook lift truck.

Owing to its innovative warhead, the Cheetah short-range guided missile is capable of countering RAM and LSS threats even at very short distances – as well as a wide variety of other aerial targets. The Cheetah is fired from a multiple launcher with a capacity of sixty guided missiles. Controlled from the system, several guided missiles can be launched at the same time, enabling simultaneous engagement of multiple targets at ranges of up to six kilometres.

Rheinmetall’s HEL effector is a scalable, high-precision, silent weapon system, with a virtually inexhaustible supply of ammunition.

Electronic warfare components and other sensors (for example against LSS targets) can also bolster the system’s performance. Moreover, the Oerlikon Skynex can be connected via interfaces to higher echelon command levels or other air defence systems.

19/02/2019

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=305892226946935&id=276491613220330

The U.S. Air Force has awarded contracts to defense giant Lockheed Martin to develop two new hypersonic weapon systems. The contracts are in response to the rapid development of hypersonics in Russia and China, a development that could challenge U.S. technological superiority.
The first weapon, the AGM-183A Advanced Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW, pronounced “Arrow”) is an outgrowth of the DARPA’s Tactical Boost Glide program. ARRW is a rocket carried aloft by an aircraft such as a B-52 bomber and has a top speed of up to Mach 20. This makes it up to four times faster than Russian and Chinese hypersonic weapons, including Starry Sky 2and Kinzhal. The Air Force recently awarded Lockheed Martin a $480 million contract to develop the ARRW, with an eye towards operational capability in 2021.
The second weapon is the Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon (HCSW, or “Hacksaw”). A solid fuel rocket with GPS guidance, HCSW is also designed to be carried by aircraft with a planned in-service date of 2022. Lockheed Martin received $928 million to work on Hacksaw in April 2018.
These aren’t the Pentagon’s only hypersonic projects. DARPA’s Tactical Boost Glide, a weapon with a 500 nautical mile range, is set to begin flight tests in 2019. DARPA is also working on the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC), which uses scramjet engines to cruise at hypersonic speeds. The U.S. Navy tested an unnamed boost glide weapon in November 2017.
Hypersonic weapons are the new frontier in warfare and they come in two types: boost glide weapons and powered atmospheric weapons. Boost glide weapons—a category that includes Arrow, Tactical Boost Glide, and apparently Hacksaw—are unpowered weapons boosted to high altitudes by rockets and released to glide down to target at hypersonic speeds—hence the name. Powered atmospheric weapons use engines such as scramjets for propulsion.
Hypersonics are useful because their extremely high speed shortens a defender’s reaction time, and their speed and flight profile make it difficult for conventional air and missile defenses to intercept. A Mach 20 hypersonic weapon travels at a blistering 15,340 miles an hour, fast enough to go from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine in just over ten minutes. That gives the enemy very little time to detect, track, and shoot the weapon down.
Furthermore, a hypersonic weapon’s attack vector makes it technically difficult to shoot down. A boost glide weapon is released at very high altitudes but stops short of entering space like a ballistic missile warhead. As a result, ballistic missile interceptors are unable to shoot them down. Even in the atmosphere, fighter jets and surface to air missiles would have a very difficult time shooting down such a fast-moving target.

09/02/2019

Days after a U.S. government watchdog questioned providing state-of-the art Black Hawk helicopters to Afghanistan, the country’s fledgling air force says it can use the aircrafts in combat and can even repair and maintain the aircraft.

Afghan Air Force Major General Abdul Raziq Shirzai says the capacity of his forces to handle the helicopters has rapidly improved. He says they are supporting ground force operations and attacks in restive southern provinces where skirmishes with the Taliban militants are frequent.

“We have made unprecedented progress in handling and maintaining these helicopters,” he told a February 7 ceremony marking the graduation of 26 Afghan pilots and gunners. They will soon be deployed to handle some of the 16 UH-60 Black Hawks that the United States has delivered to Afghanistan.

Shirzai, commander of the Kandahar air wing, says they recently successfully carried out a 2,000-hour overhaul and maintenance of two Russian-built Mi-17 helicopters in the province, where the capital, also called Kandahar, is a major hub for air operations.

“This is an achievement, and we aim to keep on building our capacities,” he said. “Our aim is to be self-sufficient.”

However, in a recent report, the U.S. Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) called on the Pentagon to improve pilot training and create a teaching program for Afghan maintenance crews while also working to improve their English-language skills.

SIGAR has urged the U.S. Defense Department to prepare the Afghan Air Force to absorb all 159 UH-60 Black Hawks now slotted to be delivered by 2023.

“Given concerns that the Afghan Air Force and special mission wing may not be able to fully use all 159 aircraft when delivered, the Department of Defense runs the risk of wasting U.S. taxpayer dollars to purchase aircraft the AAF and SMW cannot fly or maintain,” SIGAR said on February 5.

The warning came amid a rapidly evolving U.S. approach toward its 17-year war in Afghanistan. In recent months, Washington and the Taliban have made visible progress toward an agreement on ending the war. But the talks also loom large over the future of Afghan security forces.

Afghans recently reacted sharply to a senior Taliban official who said they would like to see the Western-backed military dissolved after the departure of U.S. troops. There are mounting fears that in case of a U.S. troop pullout the Afghan military will find itself scrambling for funding and technical support.

In Kandahar, the newly trained pilots, however, are focusing on their jobs.

“We are ready to support our ground forces and take on the enemy day and night,” Farid Uddin, one of the Black Hawk pilots, told Radio Free Afghanistan.

Shirzai, likewise, is not worrying about the larger geopolitical questions surrounding Afghanistan.

He does say, though, that he wants the Afghan president and defense minister to focus on building the country’s security forces so that they can take on the enemy.

“I expect our young pilots to work hard and do their best in defending their country and fighting our enemies,” he said.

15/01/2019

It is not surprising that the Russian air force would pursue ways to package its latest missile capabilities together with its cutting-edge jet technology. Russia’s integration of hypersonic missiles with fifth-generation stealth capabilities could yield considerable dividends in its threat projection capacity.

In the prior months, analysts discussed the possibility of Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter being outfitted with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles. Russian state news reported Kinzhal integration on the Su-57 earlier this week: "In accordance with Russia's State Armament Program for 2018-2027, Su-57 jet fighters will be equipped with hypersonic missiles. The jet fighters will receive missiles with characteristics similar to that of the Kinzhal missiles, but with inter-body placement and smaller size," says a defense industry insider.

The prospect of hypersonic missiles on the Su-57 was previously teased by Boris Obnosov, general director of the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV): “In perspective, we can certainly anticipate this [hypersonic] weaponry over the following decade. Everything will come in due time for the Su-57, likely including hypersonic weapons.”

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is a nuclear-capable, hypersonic missile unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a high-profile speech in early 2018: “The missile flying at a hypersonic speed, 10 times faster than the speed of sound, can also maneuver at all phases of its flight trajectory, which also allows it to overcome all existing and, I think, prospective anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems, delivering nuclear and conventional warheads in a range of over 2,000 kilometers.”

Prior speculation on this topic centered around the difficulties of fitting KInzhal missiles onto the Su-57, and doing so without compromising its stealth capabilities. The Russian Ministry of Defense has not issued an official confirmation at the time of writing, leaving a host of open questions about what could prove to be a major development for Russian threat projection.

Does “characteristics similar to that of the Kinzhal missiles” simply mean a smaller Kh-47M2 variant, or a different hypersonic missile with similar capabilities to that of Kinzhal? Will smaller dimensions translate into reduced range or other technical limitations as compared with the original Kinzhal, and how many of these missiles can be stored in the Su-57’s weapons bay? Will this Kinzhal-like missile increase the Su-57’s cross section?

This development can be taken as a sign of the Kremlin’s confidence in the state of the Su-57 project, which itself heavily depends on the manufacturing progress of the Su-57’s new Saturn Izdeliye 30 engine. There is no indication as to whether or not the smaller Kinzhal variant will be compatible with other Russian fighters that cannot fit the original Kh-47M2.

It is not surprising that the Russian air force would pursue ways to package its latest missile capabilities together with its cutting-edge jet technology. Russia’s integration of hypersonic missiles with fifth-generation stealth capabilities could yield considerable dividends in its threat projection capacity.

Still, It remains to be seen how much these weapons will increase production costs of the already expensive Su-57. To the extent that there are design workarounds to mitigate the stealth impact of hypersonic missiles, will that drive up the Su-57’s cost even more?

Kinzhal was first demonstrated with the MiG-31K supersonic fighter, an iteration of the MiG-31 designed for the new hypersonic missile. In a similar vein, the Tu-22M3 has been modified from the base Tupolev Tu-22M to carry four Kinzhal missiles. Whereas these two aircraft were modified to accommodate the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, it is a noteworthy departure that the Kh-47M2 is reportedly being modified to accommodate the Su-57.

13/01/2019

The U.S. Army seeks to apply innovative muzzle brake design for the extended range cannon artillery, according to TheFireArmBlog.com citing the U.S. Department of Defense.

TFB reported on 9 January that on the website of a U.S. government program called SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) was published a solicitation for designing an innovative muzzle brake for extended range cannon artillery systems.

U.S. Army seeks to receive novel muzzle brake structures for extended range cannon artillery systems that reduce mass while maintaining or improving recoil reduction, signature management, durability, and operator safety.

In notice said that civen the Army’s Long Range Precision Fires priority, a need exists for novel and innovative muzzle brakes capable of supporting the new extended range cannons and sabot, direct, and indirect munitions currently under development.

High pressure waves produced within gun barrels during projectile acceleration have negative impact upon the surrounding environment due to muzzle blast flow fields exiting the barrel.

The negative consequences, such as recoil and noise production, can be alleviated by redirecting propellant gases. Muzzle brakes have been used for decades to efficiently redirect propellant gas, resulting in effective performance gains.

However, recent advances in multi-disciplinary design optimization and additive manufacturing techniques show promise for muzzle brake weight reduction while maintaining the favorable flow field response and resistance to the resulting thermal and pressure loadingMuzzle brakes are subject to complex loading due to shock wave characteristics from both the propellant explosion and its interaction with the projectile. Typical pressure and thermal conditions in the vicinity of the barrel exit have been found to be as much as 10-12 ksi and 2000 K, respectively. These conditions are dynamic and vary based on the firing inclination of the gun barrel.

Muzzle brakes are also subjected to material degradation due to collisions with small particles exiting the gun barrel, such as solid propellant grains that did not undergo combustion.

A variety of analysis methods and performance validation techniques should be performed to achieve significant mass reduction in order to determine the optimal layout of material and aerodynamic design of flow redirection channels or baffles. The objective for this effort is to achieve 30 percent weight reduction compared to conventional muzzle brakes.

The ability to execute accurate strikes at significant distances is critical to ground operations in any theater, against any adversary—especially a near-peer threat that can restrict U.S. maneuver through anti-access and area denial systems and techniques.

The long-range cannon will nearly double the range of cannon artillery for the Army and Marine Corps, thus providing an interim solution that bridges a critical capability gap while informing the development of future long-range precision fires systems.

29/12/2018

Pakistan has signed a contract for the construction of four Milgem/Ada-class corvettes with the Turkish state-controlled shipyard M/s ASFAT A.S. The deal, inked July 5, is part of Pakistan’s efforts to replace aged warships featuring systems nearing the end of manufacturer support, boost its conventional deterrent vis-a-vis India, and better safeguard its maritime economy and trade links.

According to a Navy news release, the contract includes “complete transfer of technology and the transfer of intellectual proprietary rights for the design of these ships to Pakistan.”

Four ships will be built ― the first two in Turkey at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, and the third and fourth in Pakistan by state-owned shipyard KSEW ― as part of the technology transfer package.
Indigenous construction of the second pair is intended to help Pakistan’s shipbuilding industry grow and increase its contribution to the nation’s economy.

Though the Ada design features considerable Turkish-developed systems and weaponry, much is still sourced from third parties including the U.S., with whom Pakistan’s relations are presently firmly at their nadir.

Under the present climate, it’s almost certain the U.S. won’t provide clearance for the onward supply of equipment (or direct purchase via Washington); this includes the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, the Ada corvette’s primary air defense system.

When asked by Defense News about this situation, the Navy did not explain how it has managed to circumvent this, whether it still hopes to acquire the system, whether the service has replaced it with an alternative (possibly Chinese such as the FL-3000N/HQ-10), or whether the service will simply recycle the Phalanx CIWS from its ex-British frigates (possibly along with Harpoon anti-ship missiles if they still have shelf life remaining) until a better solution becomes available.

Author, analyst and former Australian defense attache to Islamabad Brian Cloughley says the Pakistan Navy “will avoid all U.S. equipment, if possible, on the grounds that they can have no guarantee of supply of spares, ammunition, etc. The attitude of [U.S. President Donald] Trump and Congress is such that it would be most unwise to waste time even applying for U.S. systems.

“The Chinese route seems to be the most practicable, with indigenous systems if possible.”

The use of indigenous technology appears to be firmly on the cards, as the news release says the fourth corvette “will be designed jointly by Pakistan’s Maritime Technologies Complex (MTC) and will be the first indigenously designed and constructed frigate.”

Use of the term “frigate” may imply extensive redesign is planned, possibly enlargement that adds more capable systems and weaponry, similar to Turkey further developing the Ada design into the Istanbul-class frigate.

When asked, the Navy did not clarify if this was the case, but Cloughley says it could be possible, or merely a “misnomer.”

However, an “indigenously developed missile system” will be fitted to the corvettes, (probably a reference to Pakistan’s Harba anti-ship missile), and certainly to the fourth corvette if not the others, in which case Cloughley believes Pakistan will then have “time to look around for a new SAM [surface-to-air missile].”

23/12/2018

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Indian Army announces new land warfare doctrine

The Indian Army (IA) is seeking to create integrated battle groups (IBGs), expand its cyber warfare capabilities, and induct energy-directed weapons as well as artificial intelligence-based systems to manage multiple security challenges, the service announced in its Land Warfare Doctrine-2018.

Dated 27 November, but published in mid-December, the doctrine states that the IA will employ "composite" IBGs comprising a mix of five to six battalions to execute conventional combat operations for "greater flexibility in force application".

Each IBG, which would be larger than the existing 3,000 personnel-strong brigade but smaller than a 10,000-strong division, would be headed by a two-star officer and include infantry, armoured, artillery, air-defence, and support units, all of which would be backed by attack helicopters.

According to the doctrine, the IA's will also focus on developing cross-domain capabilities, facilitating enhanced jointness and integration among the three services, and optimising the available forces and resources "for effective and robust military responses in a future battlefield milieu".

The IA is also refining its strategies to deal with dangers emanating from "restive, complex and active" border disputes with Pakistan and China and what it referred to as "state-sponsored-terrorism from across the border".
The doctrine states that the IA will deal with "deliberate transgressions" by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) across the disputed 4,057 km-long Line of Actual Control (LoAC) in a "firm and resolute manner" and in "consonance with existing agreements and protocols".

This comes after the IA and the PLA were embroiled in a 72 day-long stand off that ended in August 2017 at the Doklam tri-junction, which is situated along the disputed borders between India,
China and Bhutan. The IA is of the view that it faced down the PLA at the time.

The doctrine also states that the IA will continue to carry out counter-insurgency (COIN) operations against Pakistan to "ensure deterrence through punitive measures" such as the September 2016 cross-border 'surgical strike' carried out by IA special forces against suspected militants in the disputed border region of Kashmir.

25/11/2018

19/11/2018

Chinese CH7 Multipurpose Stealth UAV/UCAV was showcased at Zhuhai 2018 airshow. Being touted as counter to US X47B.
CH7 SPECIFATIONS:
Stealth
Internal Weapons Bay
Wingspan ~ 22m
Max Takeoff Weight ~ 13 tonnes
Op Radius: 2000 km
Speed ~ 0.6-0.8 Machs
Flt Endurance ~ 15 hrs
Ceiling ~ 50,000 ft
MUNITIONS:
Anti Radiation Missiles
AGMs (air-ground missiles)
AShM (anti-ship missiles)
PGM (precision guided munitions)
ROLE:
Due to high alt, high speed, stealth features, CH7 can undertake multiple mission profiles such as;
1. Recon/Surveillance of hostile territories
2. High Value Target acquisition + assault
3. Combat Support
4. Standoff/ Long Range precision strikes
CONCLUDING NOTE
The CH7 shall undergo rigorous testing/evaluation from 2019-2022 and shall be mass produced from 2022 onwards.
Having regard to the fact that Pakistan is the largest buyer of Chinese weaponry in addition to being the only reported user of Chinese CH series drones (Wing Loong), the CH7 (or some variant thereof)is very likely to join Pakistan Armed Forces amid growing geostrategic threats to the balance of power in south Asia mainly owing to Indian high tech acquisitions.