China mirrors US' alien ship-like surveillance drone design

China has unveiled a new tail-sitter drone developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG), a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). This drone, showcased during a disaster response exercise in Sichuan province, features vertical takeoff and landing capabilities similar to the US military’s V-BAT drone, which it closely resembles in size and design. Powered by a single ducted fan engine, the drone can launch like a rocket, transition to horizontal flight, and land on its tail, enabling operations in rugged or remote areas without the need for runways. Its modular payload system supports various reconnaissance tools, including cameras and sensors, and can be adapted for different missions such as disaster relief. The drone is integrated with CAIG’s Wenyao control system, which employs artificial intelligence to automate flight planning, obstacle avoidance, and swarm coordination. This system allows for autonomous control of multiple drones simultaneously, facilitating drone swarming without human intervention. AVIC highlights the UAV’s affordability,