Overview
The CASIC Skyhawk represents a series of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle developments that includes the SH-1 and SH-3 forms.
The CASIC Skyhawk represents a series of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle developments that includes the SH-1 and SH-3 forms.
History
Detailing the development and operational history of the CASIC Skyhawk (series) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Entry last updated on 1/20/2019. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the CASIC Skyhawk (series) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Entry last updated on 1/20/2019. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The CASIC "Skyhawk" of Chinese aero-industry encompasses a family of related Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) for both military and commercial service. These include the Sky Hawk 1 and Sky Hawk 3 lines. A new, 6,600lb all-wing design was showcased by the company at Zhuhai Air Show 2018 (and slated for the stealth surveillance role), further expanding on the current family offerings.
CASIC stands for "China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation".
The first entry, the Miniature-UAV "SH-1", was revealed at Zhuhai Air Show 2008 as an all-wing design driven by a two-bladed conventional engine arranged in "pusher" configuration. The overall arrangement of the fuselage is more traditional than the SH-3 version detailed below. Its payload capacity reaches 66lb and launching of this vehicle is by rocket-assisted, catapult action while recovery is through simple released parachute to retard the fall. Skids make up the undercarriage facilities. Its overall length reaches 7.5 feet with a wingspan covering 13.78 feet. It can reach speeds around 90 mph up to a ceiling of 16,400 feet.
The SH-3 switches to a twin-boom fuselage arrangement with a similar pusher engine configuration as the SH-1. However, the tail section introduces a pair of downward-facing, outward-canted vertical planes for stability though recovery is similar to the SH-1 involving parachute and skid formation. Its length is increased out to 11.8 feet while its wingspan equals this measurement. The payload capacity is a relatively restricted 11lb. The operating ceiling of this entry is reduced to 9,840 feet while operating at speeds nearing 75 mph.
The SH-3 model includes both the "SH-3A" and "SH-3B" models. The A-model introduces a more conventional wheeled tricycle undercarriage for improved runway/airfield support (no longer requiring the use of a catapult for launching) though recovery still involves parachute deployment. The B-model is a very different hand-launched Micro-Air Vehicle (MAV) approach - though still powered by a twin-bladed pusher propeller unit which is electrically-driven in the design. Flight time is limited to 45 minutes and recovery is by runaway/airfield or parachute fall.
CASIC stands for "China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation".
The first entry, the Miniature-UAV "SH-1", was revealed at Zhuhai Air Show 2008 as an all-wing design driven by a two-bladed conventional engine arranged in "pusher" configuration. The overall arrangement of the fuselage is more traditional than the SH-3 version detailed below. Its payload capacity reaches 66lb and launching of this vehicle is by rocket-assisted, catapult action while recovery is through simple released parachute to retard the fall. Skids make up the undercarriage facilities. Its overall length reaches 7.5 feet with a wingspan covering 13.78 feet. It can reach speeds around 90 mph up to a ceiling of 16,400 feet.
The SH-3 switches to a twin-boom fuselage arrangement with a similar pusher engine configuration as the SH-1. However, the tail section introduces a pair of downward-facing, outward-canted vertical planes for stability though recovery is similar to the SH-1 involving parachute and skid formation. Its length is increased out to 11.8 feet while its wingspan equals this measurement. The payload capacity is a relatively restricted 11lb. The operating ceiling of this entry is reduced to 9,840 feet while operating at speeds nearing 75 mph.
The SH-3 model includes both the "SH-3A" and "SH-3B" models. The A-model introduces a more conventional wheeled tricycle undercarriage for improved runway/airfield support (no longer requiring the use of a catapult for launching) though recovery still involves parachute deployment. The B-model is a very different hand-launched Micro-Air Vehicle (MAV) approach - though still powered by a twin-bladed pusher propeller unit which is electrically-driven in the design. Flight time is limited to 45 minutes and recovery is by runaway/airfield or parachute fall.
Program Updates
November 2018 - The stealthy Skyhawk UAV version of the Skyhawk family line was unveiled at Zhuhai 2018.
January 2019 - Video showing the Skyhawk stealth UAV on its first flight was revealed to the public.
January 2019 - Video showing the Skyhawk stealth UAV on its first flight was revealed to the public.
Specifications
YEAR: 2020
STATUS: In-Development
MANUFACTURER(S): China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) - China
PRODUCTION: 1
CREW: 0
LENGTH: 7.55 ft (2.3 m)
WIDTH: 13.78 ft (4.2 m)
EMPTY WEIGHT: 220 lb (100 kg)
MTOW: 331 lb (150 kg)
POWER: 1 x Conventional engine driving two-bladed propeller in pusher configuration.
SPEED: 75 mph (120 kph; 65 kts)
CEILING: 16,404 feet (5,000 m; 3.11 miles)
RANGE: 186 miles (300 km; 162 nm)
OPERATORS: China (probable)
Armament
None. Mission-equipment carried.
None. Mission-equipment carried.
Variants / Models
• Skyhawk - Base Project Name.
• Skyhawk 1 (SH-1) - Model of 2008; miniature UAV form; catapult-launched; flying wing fuselage; conventional engine driving two-bladed propeller unit in pusher configuration.
• Skyhawk 3 (SH-3) - Twin-boom fuselage configuration; conventional engine driving two-bladed propeller unit in pusher configuration; inverted-V tailplanes; skid undercarriage.
• Skyhawk 3A (SH-3A) - Based in the SH-3 form; tricycle undercarriage; increased MTOW.
• Skyhawk 3B (SH-3B) - Micro-Air Vehicle (MAV) form; revised, traditional fuselage layout; electrically-driven.
• Skyhawk - Base Project Name.
• Skyhawk 1 (SH-1) - Model of 2008; miniature UAV form; catapult-launched; flying wing fuselage; conventional engine driving two-bladed propeller unit in pusher configuration.
• Skyhawk 3 (SH-3) - Twin-boom fuselage configuration; conventional engine driving two-bladed propeller unit in pusher configuration; inverted-V tailplanes; skid undercarriage.
• Skyhawk 3A (SH-3A) - Based in the SH-3 form; tricycle undercarriage; increased MTOW.
• Skyhawk 3B (SH-3B) - Micro-Air Vehicle (MAV) form; revised, traditional fuselage layout; electrically-driven.
Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 100mph
Lo: 50mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (75mph).
Graph average of 75 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
MSK
TKY
TKY
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the CASIC Skyhawk 1's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production (1)
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
1
1
Altitude Visualization
