Aviation novelties of Airshow China 2022
static exposure. In the foreground is a J-20 fighter
The annual international aerospace show Airshow China 2022 is being held in Zhuhai, China. This event is one of the main venues for demonstrating the achievements of the Chinese aviation industry and the defense sector in general. This year, China once again demonstrates a large number of well-known aircraft, and also holds the premiere of several completely new developments.
Manned aviation
A variety of aviation equipment is presented in large quantities in Zhuhai. Both mock-ups and full-fledged aircraft and helicopters are demonstrated. Most of these exhibits are already known and familiar to specialists, but there are also completely new developments. At the same time, almost all exhibition samples are of some interest.
Upgraded AWACS aircraft KJ-500
Paradoxically, one of the main novelties of Airshow China 2022 was the already well-known model - the 5th generation fighter J-20. This aircraft was repeatedly demonstrated at air shows, incl. in the air. However, only now it was placed in a static parking lot, and for the first time visitors to the exhibition got the opportunity to view the car up close. This exhibit naturally attracted attention, and now experts and technology lovers are trying to consider new details that had not been noticed before.
Also this year, a promising YY-20 refueling aircraft entered the open event for the first time. A model of this aircraft is presented in the exhibition pavilion, and a full-fledged prototype is present at the static parking lot, which is currently being tested.
6th generation fighter concept
For the first time, a modernized version of the KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft came to the exhibition. Its main difference lies in the presence of an in-flight refueling system: a long fuel receiver is placed above the nose of the machine. Perhaps the target equipment has also undergone improvements, but this topic is not disclosed.
The Chinese industry is also working on projects for the distant future and shares some thoughts on this. The layout of a hypothetical fighter of the next 6th generation is shown. This is a manned twin-engine vehicle with a flying wing glider and advanced electronic equipment. However, all the details of such a concept are not given.
UAV from AVIC Corporation. The largest is the new Wing Loong-3
Unmanned systems
China is actively developing the direction of unmanned aerial vehicles and creating various projects of this kind. This year, Airshow China 2022 showcases many brand new UAVs of different classes and for various purposes, from light copters to full-size drones. In some projects of this kind, especially bold ideas are used.
At Airshow China 2022, the premiere of a new heavy UAV of the Wing Loong series took place. The WL-3 product differs from its predecessors in its increased size and takeoff weight of 6,2 tons. The device is equipped with a turboprop engine and can stay in the air for up to 40 hours; flight range - 10 thousand km. Up to 300 kg of cargo is placed in the internal cargo compartment, up to 2 tons on the external sling.
The CETC group demonstrates the XY-1 medium reconnaissance and strike UAV of a characteristic type. It has a streamlined fuselage, smoothly mating with a straight wing, as well as two thin tail booms with an L-shaped tail. In general, it looks like a Turkish TB2 drone, which indicates a desire to use someone else's experience and developments.
Multi-purpose drone XY-1, reminiscent of a foreign development
Another interesting novelty is designated as CS-5000T. This is a large heavy drone-flying wing with characteristic stealth contours and an upper air intake. The purpose of such a machine has not yet been specified. There are suggestions about her belonging to the class of "faithful followers" and the presence of combat capabilities.
Of particular interest is the experimental UAV MD-22, presented as a full-size mock-up. It is positioned as a reusable platform for aerospace research. This is a delta wing craft with a length of approx. 11 m and takeoff weight approx. 4,5 t carrying 600 kg payload. The maximum speed will reach 7 Mach, the range will be up to 8 thousand km.
Aircraft engines
For a long time, Chinese engine building lagged behind foreign ones, and combat aircraft had to be equipped with foreign power plants. Now the situation is being corrected, and China is showing interesting new developments in the field of engines.
Experimental hypersonic UAV MD-22
At Airshow China 2022, Shenyang is showing five different versions of the WS-10 turbojet engine with different features and specifications. The basic version of this product is shown, as well as a modification with a movable nozzle for thrust vectoring. Also on display for the first time is an engine for stealth fighters, equipped with a nozzle of four movable shields of complex shape.
Engine Corporation AECC shows for the first time the AEF1300 turbofan engine designed for passenger and transport aircraft. A significant increase in performance is declared in comparison with existing analogues: thrust is increased, fuel consumption is reduced and other parameters are improved.
Different versions of the WS-11 engine. In the foreground is a product with an "inconspicuous" nozzle
Means of defeat
A wide range of aviation weapons, already known and new, is demonstrated again. Some of the new products are the modernization of older models, while others are designed from scratch and shown to the public for the first time. It is curious that the Chinese industry does not disclose information about all the exhibits presented.
Much attention was drawn to the AKF98A air-launched cruise missile suspended under the wing of one of the aircraft in the parking lot. It has a faceted body shape, which indicates the use of stealth technology. At the same time, the purpose and characteristics of the product are not specified.
AKF98A cruise missile
Several types of guided bombs of various calibers are on display. One of the most interesting developments of this kind is the LS-6/500 from AVIC. This is a gliding bomb in caliber 500 kg, capable of hitting distant targets with high accuracy. To increase the flight range, a folding wing and a small solid-fuel accelerating engine are used.
An important novelty in the field of armaments is the universal airfield armament loader from CASIC Corporation. The compact machine is capable of transporting various ammunition and hanging them on aircraft. The ability to work with all aircraft of the PLA Air Force, including equipment of the Su-27 family, is declared.
Guided bomb LS-6 in caliber 500 kg
New successes
Thus, the Chinese aircraft industry and related industries continue to work and create various projects of one kind or another, as well as improve existing products and systems. All the main classes of manned aviation receive the necessary attention, and at the same time the unmanned direction is developing. Do not stand aside engines, ammunition, etc.
The results of such activities are demonstrated at the annual Airshow China. Some of the new developments are shown only in the form of mock-ups, while others are shown as ready-made prototypes. It is likely that by the next salon some of the current models will “grow” to full-fledged prototypes, and some experimental products will reach the series. And China will again have a reason to be proud of its success.
- Ryabov Kirill
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