Israel's Harpy anti-radar drones have drawn China's interest in developing an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle. (Image from the Washington Times)Inside The Ring -- Washington Times
An internal Chinese government document says China is working to develop an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as part of a strategy to combine civilian and military technology in weapons and nonmilitary equipment.
The document, which was obtained by The Washington Times, is a feasibility report dated July 8 and labeled "National Defense Science and Technology Industry Military and Civilian Dual-Use Research and Development Special Project."
A U.S. official, who spoke on condition he not be named, said the document appears genuine. Chinese Embassy spokesman Wang Baodong had no immediate comment on the document.
It states that the goal of the project is to produce a high-altitude, low-speed, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle in two years. The state-run company in charge of the program is a major Chinese weapons manufacturer, the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. (CASIC).
According to the document, civilian uses will include aerial exploration, air-to-ground monitoring and other scientific work. Military applications for the UAV are outlined as "military aerial inspection and detection, electronic warfare and other missions."
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My Comment: As I had mentioned in a post early today, the success of the American Predator and Reaper UAVs in defeating Iraq's insurgents has resulted in every country becoming interested in having some sort of equivalent program for their own military establishment.