China unveils its terrifying weaponised ‘drone troop’ that can be launched from the back of a truck and strikes ground targets ‘precisely’
- A state-run firm recent tested a group of attacking unmanned aerial vehicles
- Dubbed the ‘drone swarm’, they can be deployed from a truck or a helicopter
- The flying weapons can change formation to attack the enemy on the ground
- The details were released by its developer with propaganda footage of a drill
China has flaunted its latest military drones: a team of small attacking aircraft that can work together in midair to pinpoint and destroy targets on the ground.
The troop, dubbed the ‘drone swarm’ by its developer, can be launched from the back of a truck or a helicopter and strikes the enemy precisely, a propaganda video shows.
This is the first time China has put into use a group of unmanned aerial vehicles that operate as a unit to complete military tasks, according to their state-controlled manufacturer.
Footage released by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, the drones’ developer, shows the weapon’s ground launcher: a military truck with 48 launching cells at the back
The firm says the drone swarm can be shot up from the back of a truck in quick succession
A drone is seen in the clip opening up after being catapulted into the air by the military truck
China has stepped up its military drone race with the United States in recent years.
Among others, its arsenal includes unmanned stealth fighter jets fitted with AK-47 rifles and deadly drone bombers which can fly 35 hours without refuelling.
The news comes after China’s state broadcaster showed off a military drone that carries two grenade launchers.
The new drone troop completed a series of tests in September, said its state-run creator, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC).
All of the aircraft are said to be fixed-wing drones, instead of multi-rotor drones. With a rigid structure, fixed-wing drones can fly at higher altitudes and are faster and more stable.
The drones can also be dropped from a higher altitude by helicopters, as the footage shows
The drones are capable of creating a formation in the air accurately and changing its pattern
They are able to carry out air-to-ground reconnaissance and take down targets precisely
In a social media post from Tuesday, the CETC claimed that the team of drones could be deployed quickly and flexibly. They can be fired from the ground by a truck or dropped from the air by a helicopter.
The firm stated that members of the drone swarm could be shot up from the back of a truck in quick succession, creating a formation in the air accurately and changing its arrangement according to commanders’ needs.
They are also capable of carrying out air-to-ground reconnaissance and take down targets precisely.
A propaganda video of a drill shows a military truck with 48 launching cells at the back catapulting the airborne weapons into the sky before they form different patterns while flying.
Late last month, China Central Television featured a type of military drone that could strike targets with grenades.
The weapon appeared during a recent combat exercise in southern China, according to a report.
The rotary-wing aircraft is also said to be capable of firing guided munitions and conducting various missions, including tactical reconnaissance and midair interceptions.