A recent photo depicts a Xian H-6 medium bomber flying high over the ground – so high that, from the vantage point of the photographer, it’s little more than a winged blur. Equally blurry: whatever the bomber was carrying under its fuselage.
It might be a supersonic reconnaissance drone – one designed to hunt down US Navy aircraft carriers on the vast Pacific Ocean. Or it could be an even faster “hypersonic” vehicle. It’s hard to say from the single blurry image of the thing that has circulated on social media. All we can say for sure is that the Chinese military is up to something. And whatever it is, it’s bad news for the United States and the whole free world.
The PLAAF is known to be developing at least two types of high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles that depend on a bomber to launch them. Both roughly match the basic shape of the object under the H-6 in the photo.
One is the AVIC WZ-8. This supersonic UAV made its first public appearance at a rehearsal for a parade in Beijing in 2019. The UAV’s narrow fuselage and wings – ideal for fast supersonic flight – strongly imply the WZ-8 is a recon drone. One whose rocket engine isn’t suitable for takeoff from a traditional runway, and instead requires mid-air launch.
Chinese media concur with that impression. The WZ-8 “would be expected to play a key role should there be a conflict with US aircraft carrier strike groups in the South China Sea or western Pacific,” the South China Morning Post reported.
A camera-equipped satellite might be able to detect a carrier, but only when the satellite crosses the patch of ocean where the ship happens to be. Most satellites travel along orbits that allow them to surveil only narrow swathes of the Earth below.
In the event of a serious conflict, all large capital ships within 1,000 miles range of a a hostile enemy would be taken out within the first few hours.
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
How would you feel if another country's technological advancement directly threatened your nation's security?
Well to be honest I think everyboty should be free to do what they think is right, but at the same time they have to follow the rules of Jessus Christ.If they are following the rules of God, they sould be free to keep doing what they are doing.
Y'all actin like i would let that happen, I'll stop the drones.
Which operational bomber does China have that will survive? All Chinese bombers will go on 'one way' mission only not only in India but also in Taiwan and Japan or anywhere else with a formidable air defence.
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
Considering the rapid development of military technology, what is your stance on the future role of drones in ensuring national security?
those drones seem to be getting more dangerous and becoming a bigger threat by the day, I think we should get rid of them.
@9LXYMHP3wks3W
The future stance for drones will now have more rules thanks to the supersonic drone that China made. The national security for drones will have to be monitored in many states before a big conflict arises.
they should make something to detect drones so they can see incoming attack from China.
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
How do you think the advancement of drones like China's affects the concept of 'peace' in a global context?
not only are they used for the complete opposite of "peace" but dont seem to be made for that purpose.
@9LXYMHP3wks3W
It can affect the concept of 'peace' in global contexts unless the government and security have to make more strict rules for drones in the U.S. military.
@9LXX6WPRepublican3wks3W
Well China is not a friend in the first place but it does make it feel like they are pushing limits and intruding our space. I don't think that drones change the concept of global peace though.
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
If you had the power, would you support or oppose the use of highly advanced drones in warfare, and why?
@9LXVZGC3wks3W
I'm all for it, if they can use it against us than they will, so we should be prepared by having better tech.
@9LXVXBT3wks3W
I think the unregulated use of drones in war is not something that’s good and should be regulated and discussed more heavily in trials, the power to kill with drones is insanely terrifying
@9LY7RTTProgressive3wks3W
The use of drones makes it easier to commit warfare since you aren't wasting lives to commit murder.
I would support because they are used to protect us.
@9LXSGT4Independent3wks3W
Chinas new supersonic drone could threaten U.S. Navy
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
What personal fears or hopes does the development of advanced military technology like supersonic drones evoke in you?
@9LXTND53wks3W
I hope that the technology will also be used in the private and civilian sector as supersonic means faster movement around the world.
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
How would you feel about international stability if drones like China's could significantly shift military power balances?
@9LXW9V73wks3W
I feel that international stability would be threatened and China could attack at any times.
@9LXW644Republican3wks3W
I would believe that the U.S. needs tho intervene with China.
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