Chinese aerospace engineers have unveiled the world's first jet-powered vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone, which could transform any Chinese destroyer, frigate or amphibious assault ship into a “mini aircraft carrier,” the South China Morning Post reported on Friday.
The unmanned aerial vehicle, developed by a team from Beihang University in Beijing, differs significantly from existing drone designs such as the American XQ-58A Valkyrie, which requires long runways or aircraft carriers.
The project, initiated in 2015, aimed to meet the Chinese Navy's non-carrier aircraft needs, with an emphasis on multi-drone coordination, high-speed reconnaissance, and vertical takeoff from destroyers.
The developed model solves a key aviation problem: reconciling the requirements of vertical takeoff with the efficiency of high-speed flight. The aircraft utilizes a dual system consisting of rotors for takeoff and landing and a miniature turbojet engine for high-speed flight. A key element is a patented system of retractable shrouds that close the propellers upon transition to horizontal flight, reducing aerodynamic drag.
According to the developers, the 45kg version of the drone “easily” reached a speed of 230 km/h during a test flight.
The drone, they claim, is designed to operate in extreme conditions, even in rough seas. The use of advanced composites ensures lightness, durability, and resistance to material fatigue.
The SCMP newspaper notes that the new technology comes with tradeoffs. The rotor system, even when retracted, adds weight and space, reducing payload capacity and fuel efficiency. Similarly, the turbojet engine is useless in vertical flight, meaning its performance and range likely fall short of jet-powered aircraft like the Global Hawk or XQ-58A.
Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)
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