CHINA North Industries Group Corp, the country’s biggest land armaments manufacturer, is promoting advanced combat systems that enable customers to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in combat or defend against hostile drones.

At a live-fire show last week in Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the State-owned defense conglomerate, also known as Norinco, displayed several new or upgraded military drones and counter-UAV weapons. Among the highlights was the BZK-005E, a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft upgraded from the previous BZK-005 model. Able to operate in different weather conditions and complex environments, the drone can carry out various surveillance and reconnaissance tasks over target zones.

It measures about 10 meters long, with a wingspan of 18 meters, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 1.5 metric tons. The drone can fly at 180 kilometers per hour carrying 370 kilograms of payloads, such as electro-optical pods, synthetic aperture radar, communication devices and electronic countermeasures (ECMs).

The CR500B, a pilotless vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, is a multipurpose helicopter capable of carrying various mission payloads such as ammunition and electro-optical equipment. It is used to perform tasks including battlefield reconnaissance, target positioning, laser designation guidance, precision strikes and damage assessment. With strong adaptability to various battlefield environments, it can operate in plateau areas.

During last Monday’s event, the defense contractor also featured the FL-30 loitering munition system, a new type of flexible weapon designed for beyond-visual-range, real-time reconnaissance and precision strike missions.

Launched from various platforms, spanning ground combat vehicles and naval vessels, it primarily executes combat operations including distributed network reconnaissance, persistent loitering deterrence, targeted elimination and large-scale swarm attacks.

Air-defense missiles and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns with counter-UAV capabilities were also displayed.

Alongside the conventional types, Norinco unveiled a laser system targeting drone threats. The OW5 vehicle-mounted laser weapon system integrates multiple detection methods, such as radar and electro-optical apparatus, capable of spotting and tracking targets rapidly and accurately. Laser weapons, requiring no ammunition reloading, can launch strikes quickly and accurately.

Xiao Ning, editor of the Weapon magazine, said that recent conflicts have testified to the growing importance of unmanned platforms and their impact on the warfare.

Most of today’s advanced land weapon systems incorporate small drones, providing advantages such as longer detection range and a clearer understanding of battlefield situations, he said.

“The flying gadgets also help to reduce reliance on command center information, thus allowing for highly autonomous operations,” he added.

(SD-Agencies)