Harbin BZK-005
| BZK-005 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | MALE (Medium altitude long endurance) UAV |
| National origin | PRC |
| Manufacturer | Harbin Aircraft Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. |
| Designer | Harbin Aircraft Industry Group |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army |
The BZK-005 Medium-altitude, long-range UAV is a reconnaissance aircraft designed by Harbin Aircraft Industry Group. It is used by the PLA Navy and PLA Air Force.
Development
[edit]The BZK-005 was unveiled in Zhuhai International Airshow 2006, where video and models were demonstrated to the public regarding this UAV.
Design
[edit]BZK-005 has a few stealth features integrated into its design.[1] It is believed that a satellite data link antenna is held in its large upper body dome.[2] Under the body there is an optic-electric sensor system which is believed to be its main sensor.[3] It is expected that BZK-005 has cruising speed of around 170 km/h, service ceiling 8,000 m, max takeoff weight is around 1,200 kg, max payload over 150 kg.[citation needed]
Variants
[edit]BZK-005: unarmed reconnaissance version.
BZK-005C: Developed from original BZK-005 and optimized aerodynamic structure and electronic system with attack and reconnaissance capability. It can equipped with bombs or missiles with more than 300 kg payload. First revealed by Chinese state media on 11 November 2018.[4]
Service history
[edit]The BZK-005 is in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy and People's Liberation Army Air Force. It may be known as "Sea Eagle" in PLAN service and "Giant Eagle" in PLAAF service.[3]
In August 2011, a BZK-005 crashed into a farm field close to Xingtai, He Bei province. Photos of the wreckage were posted on various Chinese internet websites.[5]
In 2019, Garuda Indonesia purchased 3 BZK-005s for cargo routes between outlying islands in Indonesia.[6]
In April 2019, the BZK-005 was confirmed to be used by the Chinese military in conducting maritime surveillance over the East China Sea. The UAV was intercepted by the Japan Air Self-Defence Force in a scramble alert after violating Japanese air space.[7]
In August 2021, the BZK-005 was spotted over the East China Sea alongside two Y-9s. It was speculated to be an upgraded variant, "specifically configured for wide-area intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions with an undernose synthetic aperture radar (SAR) radome – possibly housing a Ku-band D3010 SAR system with a dual-mode SAR/ground moving target indicator (GMTI) capability – and a mid-mounted ventral electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) turret."[8]
On the 10 June 2024, the Armed Forces of Mauritania revealed they had received the delivery of the BZK-005E, along with other pieces of Chinese-produced military hardware.[9]
Operators
[edit]
- People's Liberation Army Air Force: 84 units[10]
- People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force: 21 units[11]
- Garuda Indonesia: 3 units[6]
Specifications
[edit]General characteristics
- Crew: None
- Capacity: 150 kg (331 lb) payload
- Length: 9 m (29 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 19 m (62 ft 4 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 1,250 kg (2,756 lb)
Performance
- Cruise speed: 150–180 km/h (93–112 mph, 81–97 kn)
- Endurance: 40 hours
- Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)
See also
[edit]
Related lists
References
[edit]- ^ Wong, Edward. (2013, September 21). "Hacking U.S. Secrets, China Pushes for Drones," The New York Times, p.A1 ff.
- ^ "China's Global Hawk revealed - The DEW Line". www.flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 2009-10-19.
- ^ a b Joe, Rick. "China's Growing High-End Military Drone Force". thediplomat.com. The Diplomat. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- ^ "察打一體無人機BZK-005C實彈打靶成功 - 中華人民共和國國防部". www.mod.gov.cn. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
- ^ "BZK-005 UAV, AirForceWorld.com". AirForceWorld.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 25 Aug 2011.
- ^ a b Hashim, Firdaus (2019-04-30). "Garuda and Beihang UAS Technology partner on cargo UAVs". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 2021-01-26. Retrieved 2022-08-08.
- ^ "平成３０年度３四半期までの緊急発進実施状況について" (PDF). Ministry of Defence, Joint Staff Press Release. Retrieved 26 Sep 2019.
- ^ "China's TB001 reconnaissance UAV sighted near Japanese airspace for the first time". 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Massicce forniture militari cinesi anche per la Mauritania – Analisi Difesa".
- ^ Rupprecht, Andreas (29 October 2018). Modern Chinese Warplanes:Chinese Air Force - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 978-09973092-6-3.
- ^ Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6.