AVIC Cloud Shadow

High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)

China | 2019

"The AVIC Cloud Shadow UCAV has been designed by Chinese aero-industry for the export market."

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the AVIC Cloud Shadow High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

Estimated: 1 x WP-11C turbojet engine of unknown rating / output.
Propulsion

385 mph
620 kph | 335 kts
Max Speed

49,213 ft
15,000 m | 9 miles
Service Ceiling

180 miles
290 km | 157 nm
Operational Range

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the AVIC Cloud Shadow High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

0
(UNMANNED)
Crew

5,071 lb
(2,300 kg)
Empty Weight

7,055 lb
(3,200 kg)
MTOW

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the AVIC Cloud Shadow High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) .

OPTIONAL:
Air-to-surface, precision-guided missiles and drop bombs including Blue Arrow-7, YJ-9E and AG-300M series.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the AVIC Cloud Shadow family line.

Cloud Shadow - Base Series Name

Cloud Shadow CS-1 - Imagery reconnaissance model

Cloud Shadow CS-2 - Electronic reconnaissance model

Cloud Shadow CS-3 - Reconnaissance strike model

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/22/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market continues to grow and, for larger aero-industries like that of China, this means untapped potential in the lucrative export market. As a result, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has unveiled the "Cloud Shadow" UAV/UCAV during the 11th Zhuhai Air Show in November of 2016. The aircraft is a development of Chengdu Aerospace Corporation (CAC) which falls under the AVIC parent label.

The product on display showcases a very sleek, stealth-like appearance akin to the General Atomics Avenger Unmanned Air Combat Vehicle (UCAV) offering. The bulbous nose assembly is well-streamlined and tapers to the rear to which an air scoop is set over the dorsal line. The scoop is straddled by outward-canted vertical fins. The wing mainplanes are swept back and featured along midships of the fuselage. The undercarriage is wheeled and completely retractable to preserve aerodynamic efficiency.

As its core, the Cloud Shadow represents a Chinese attempt at a budget-friendly High-Altitude, Long Endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft that is weapons capable. Two distinct versions have been mentioned - the standard unarmed reconnaissance model and an armed reconnaissance model. Weapons are held externally along four underwing hardpoints (two to a wing). Munitions supported will include a variety of Chinese precision weapons including both missiles and drop bombs. The listed mission payload is 880 lb.

Performance specifications include a maximum speed of 385 miles per hour, a service ceiling of at least 46,000 feet and a Line-of-Sight (LoS) link range out to 180 miles. The aircraft's mission endurance window is set for six hours. The jet engine is most likely the WJ-600 series or similar.

There are three planned production forms for the Cloud Shadow UAV family. The Cloud Shadow CS-1 is the base imagery reconnaissance model and this is to be followed by the CS-2 which fulfills the electronic reconnaissance role. The CS-3 is set to be a fully-armed reconnaissance strike model. All will carry the WP-11C series turbojet engine for propulsion.

November 2017 - A mock-up of the Cloud Shadow UAV was put on display during the Dubai Air Show.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the AVIC Cloud Shadow. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 10 Units
Contractor(s): Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) - China

[ China (possible) ]

1 / 1

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Going Further...
The AVIC Cloud Shadow High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) appears in the following collections:

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