China unveils new armed drone helicopter

China is showing off its new armed drone helicopter. NORINCO, one of China’s leading defense contractors, is getting in on the international drone export game with the new unveil.

First showcased at the International Exhibition of National Security and Resilience in Dubai, NORINCO’s Sky Saker is a coaxial rotor, 100-200kg helicopter UCAV.

The Sky Saker H300’s cameras include electro-optical and infrared systems, along with laser target designators.

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In addition to surveillance and fire control, the Sky Saker H300 can provide midcourse corrections for guided munitions launched by other platforms, such as cruise missiles from H-6K bombers or shells fired from PLZ-05 howitzers.

The drone helicopters ground control station is likely to be networked to a wider array of Chinese military systems for integrated fire effect, which would make it not only a valuable asset for counterinsurgency and urban combat, but also for wider missions like hunting enemy small ships (such as the Taiwanese Tuo stealth boat) or electronic warfare vehicles.

Helicopter UCAVs have distinct advantages over standard UCAVs, though. Like the helicopters they’re based on, take off and landing of the drone is possible vertically, negating the need for some type of runway space.

There are some disadvantages to this configuration, though, such as slower flight speeds and range limitations.

Given these attributes, it’s probably not out of the question to speculate the drone helicopter would find more use in close-range combat, rather than longer range missions where mission control might be hundreds (if not thousands) of miles away.

However, at least initially, we’re not aware of any commercial deployments or government contracts.

Right now the H300 is being shown off as part of a larger defense exhibition that is taking place in Dubai, and for the time being, it’ll likely remain relegated to the show floor.

Before now China’s armed CH-3 and CH-4 drones made international news, being used by nations that range from Iraq to Nigeria.