Specifications
Year: 2020
Status: In-Development
Manufacturer(s): China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) - China
Production: 1
Capabilities: Reconnaissance (RECCE); Unmanned;
Status: In-Development
Manufacturer(s): China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) - China
Production: 1
Capabilities: Reconnaissance (RECCE); Unmanned;
Crew: 0
Length: 7.55 ft (2.3 m)
Width: 13.78 ft (4.2 m)
Weight (Empty): 220 lb (100 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 331 lb (150 kg)
Length: 7.55 ft (2.3 m)
Width: 13.78 ft (4.2 m)
Weight (Empty): 220 lb (100 kg)
Weight (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)
Ceiling: 16,404 feet (5,000 m; 3.11 miles)
Range: 186 miles (300 km; 162 nm)
Operators: China (probable)
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.
Armament
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.
