Information from the war scene reveals that the drones came From Kinshasa to Kavumu via Goma, the transport of these three combat drones did not go unnoticed. Expected for several months, this arrival arouses a wave of hope within the Congolese general staff while the fighting rages with the M23 north of Goma. According to our information, the CH-4B combat drones, acquired from the company China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), cannot, however, be immediately used upon delivery.
The CH-4 has reconnaissance and combat functions and has similar capabilities to the American Air Force’s MQ-1 Predator. The CH-4 Drone fires AR-1 missiles that can hit a distant target with a margin of error of less than 1.5 meters.
A CH-4 Drone costs US$4 million, while the US Air Force website says a package including four MQ-1 Predators and a ground control station costs US$20 million.
The CH-4 Drone is already being used by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and now DRC plus several other countries.
The CH-4 UAV is specifically designed for high-altitude missions over land and sea, and can fire its weapon from up to 5,000 meters. The CH-4 UAV also “has a retractable electro-optical sensor turret, and a datalink back to the ground control station. The CH-4 UAV also boasts a modern, two person control station to fly the drone remotely, with provisions for both line of sight and satellite communications.
There are two versions, the CH-4A and CH-4B. The CH-4A is a reconnaissance drone (capable of a 3500–5000 km range and a 30- to 40-hour endurance) while the CH-4B is a mixed attack and reconnaissance system with provisions for 6 weapons and a payload of up to 250 to 345 kg.
CH-4 Drone is capable of firing air-to-ground missile from altitude of 5,000 meters (~16,400 feet), therefore the aircraft can stay outside of effective range of most anti-aircraft guns. It also allows CH-4 UAVto be able to fire from a position that provides wider viewing area.
Specifications
Year: 2014
Status: Active, In-Service
Manufacturer(s): China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) - China
Production: 500
Capabilities: Ground Attack; Reconnaissance (RECCE); Unmanned;
Crew: 0
Length: 36.09 ft (11 m)
Width: 65.62 ft (20 m)
Height: 12.47 ft (3.8 m)
Weight (Empty): 3,527 lb (1,600 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 9,921 lb (4,500 kg)
Power: 1 x Conventional engine developing an estimated 900 horsepower and driving three-bladed propelled in pusher arrangement.
Speed: 217 mph (350 kph; 189 kts)
Ceiling: 47,375 feet (14,440 m; 8.97 miles)
Range: 1,709 miles (2,750 km; 1,485 nm)
In 2014, China had exported the Wing Loong, a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV, which can also be fitted with missiles to Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom was the first Arab country to obtain such type of drone and now in central Africa we have DRC taking the lead in acquisition of these machines, which was developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.
The CASC CH-4B and CAIG Wing Loong II have similar specifications, especially in terms of payload and endurance (Wing Loong II: 400 kg and 32 hours vs. CH-4B: 345 kg and 40 hours).
Both UAV platforms can deploy China’s range of air-to-surface munitions, such as the AR-1 laser-guided missile.
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