The naval variant of the UAV platform features Wave Transmitting Material (WTM) on the forward fuselage for beyond-line-of-sight communication on long-range missions, according to a Naval News report.
The placement of the WTM on the upper part of the drone allows the antenna to better uplink and downlink satellites. Moreover, fitted on its wings are electronic measures antennas capable of intercepting enemy ships’ communication and radar signatures and executing direction-finding functions.
American Triton’s Chinese Counterpart
Some have identified the WZ-7 as PLA’s answer to the famed ISR drone of the US Navy, the MQ-4C Triton, which explains why it has nearly identical capabilities.
Recent photos showed that Beijing’s new naval HALE UAV resembles the US Triton recon drone, particularly the platform’s nose and upper part of the fuselage.
The WZ-7, a long-range semi-stealth drone developed by the 611 Institute and GAIC.
The WZ-7 boasts a box/diamond wing design to improve lift and reduce drag and weight, with a reported weight of 7,500kg, a range of 4,500km, a cruising speed of 750km/hr, and a cruising altitude
🧵 pic.twitter.com/U79m2TNfrs— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) February 13, 2023
Its radars, however, differ, with the Triton having a 360-degree radar that provides “an unobstructed look-down line-of-sight toward the ground,” Naval News reported, while the Soaring Dragon version only has a front-facing radar.
With this, the circulating Chinese WZ-7 is suspected of filling in the role of a Stand-off Jammer, tasked to degrade surface combatants’ communication or radar performance to disrupt and provide cover for its strike network.
In addition, the unmanned recon drone is also expected to provide an Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capability against US Carrier Strike Groups (often dubbed “Carrier Killer” by Chinese media), which China has been working on for years.
“For years, China has been trying to establish its Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capability to counter the US Carrier Strike Groups by introducing various Anti-Ship capabilities, including the DF-21D Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile, which Chinese media often referred to as the “Carrier Killer.” via Naval News.
Recently, a Beijing-based think tank reported on March 27 the total number of US recon missions in China’s backyard, accusing Washington of “intensive military activity.”
In its annual report, the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) stated that the US had launched an estimated 1,000 reconnaissance aircraft sorties over the South China Sea in 2022, with many of these “flying within 13 nautical miles of China’s maritime territorial baseline.”
It also included the number of US Carrier Strike Groups and Amphibious Ready Groups that entered the region, which it stated eight times, and thirteen times for US nuclear-powered attack submarines.
At first glance, both drones appear to have identical characteristics. However, aside from opposing technological specifications, the American Triton and Chinese Soaring Dragon differ in performance, with the former capable of operating for about 30 hours—three times the endurance hours of the latter.
COMMENTS