It is the first in the world. Satellite images of the secret facility

China has secretly built what could be the world’s first drone carrier, and this news comes from Business Insider, which has a report on hand. According to one analyst. “theThe report indicated the size of the ship to guess its primary mission. Having a drone carrier would allow China to use different types of attack». News is also on Naval News: “The Chinese Navy has built what could be the world’s first drone carrier, a squat vessel that resembles a small aircraft carrier.».

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Satellite images

Satellite images dated May 6, along with input from J. Michael Dahm, a senior research fellow in residence in aerospace and China studies at the Mitchell Institute, leave little doubt: “We are confident that this ship is the world’s first fixed-wing unmanned aircraft carrier»“Dahham said. However, other experts remain cautious, and only time will tell its purpose. The report indicates the length of the ship’s deck: it is about a third of the length and half the width of an aircraft carrier belonging to the Chinese or American Navy. It is also about half the length of Chinese amphibious assault ships that launch manned helicopters, suggesting that the new ship’s flight deck is designed for fewer helicopters or smaller aircraft such as drones. The warships’ flight decks served as bases for unmanned aircraft such as the American MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter and the Scan Eagle lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle. But what appears new is that the Chinese ship’s entire function may be to launch and land drones, although its purpose will only be confirmed by future observations of its tests and operations, Business Insider reported. The report also estimates that the flight deck is wide enough to allow aircraft or drones with a wingspan of about 65 feet, such as the Reaper drone’s Chinese counterparts, to operate from it. Citing satellite images, the report also said the flight deck appeared to be “very” low, suggesting there was no hangar underneath for storing and maintaining aircraft, such as those for assault ships and aircraft carriers. As it turns out, the ship appears much shorter than the Chinese frigate.

“Mother ship”

Alessio Patalano, professor of East Asian War and Strategy in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, confirmed this assessment. He told BI that the platform’s flat surface and compact deck, along with its catamaran-like hull, suggest it will be used for drones; The United States has also experimented with launching drones from catamaran-style ferries, but the ship’s flight deck is much smaller. Patalano believes it would make sense for the Chinese navy to keep its experiments largely hidden from international scrutiny. But Lyle Goldstein, Asia director at the D.C.-based Center for Defense Priorities think tank, said he would hesitate to call it a drone carrier based on a single satellite image. However, strategically, he said it would make a lot of sense. “Drones have a relatively small range, which limits their spread far from the coast»Having an aircraft carrier would give the Chinese Navy a “robust” network and allow drones of different types to attack, Goldstein told BI. “I spend a lot of time looking at Taiwanese scenarios, and I think China would really look to deploy massive amounts of these explosive drones as their primary weapon.»Goldstein added. The potential unmanned mothership was spotted just weeks after China’s third aircraft carrier began sea trials.

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