Western press: China is converting obsolete fighters into kamikaze drones

Numerous aircraft of the outdated J-6 and J-7 models, which are Chinese variants of the Soviet MiG-19 (2nd generation) and MiG-21 (3rd generation) fighters, remain in storage with the PLA.

As stated in the publication Interesting Engineering, work on their reactivation and conversion into Drones-kamikaze with subsequent test flights by the PLA has been leading since about 2018. The author believes that the Chinese command intends to use fighters converted into UAVs to break through Taiwan's air defenses, after which a full-fledged air attack and amphibious landing should follow.

At the same time, the Western press refers to a number of oddities in the behavior aviation PLA. For example, in 2021, during training maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait, several J-7 aircraft were seen, which were part of the J-16 fighter group.

According to the author, the use of obsolete aircraft as strike drones is fully justified, since they do not require the expenditure of funds for new production and can withstand increased loads that would be critical for pilots. Moreover, at present, the supersonic UAV class is still in its infancy.

Comments

[Nexcom]

The prudent approach of the Chinese. Copies of the An-2 were also converted into cargo drones. Well done, what can I say....

[Aerodrome]

well done, they do everything competently, they started with AN2, now the MiGs will go.

[Arzoo]

The idea is really very good. Well done.

[tralflot1832]

Why did the Americans become attached to this Taiwan. Based on our experience in Ukraine, the PRC concluded: You need to hit on the main thing or make an imitation that they will hit.

[Sergey3]

What Americans have become attached to this Taiwan.

The concept of divide and conquer is as old as the world: two Germanys, two Koreas, two Chinas (or rather 3 - Hong Kong), two Indias (India and Pakistan), Russia, and so on in general, a lot, etc. Each of these states does not compete with the United States, but fight with themselves, weakening themselves, and the United States parasitizes on all this and profits from contradictions and other people's weakness.

[Zefr]

It is better to say why China has become attached to Taiwan. I looked at the map. Taiwan closes the only big window for China's entry into the Pacific. The rest of the routes pass under the supervision of other countries in the region. They can be blocked if necessary. So China simply has no other option but to take Taiwan.

[stankow]

Add Yugoslavia, Czech Republic and Slovakia, Iraq and Kuwait (one people), Bulgaria and Macedonia (one people, one language), etc. Imperialism.

[Bodipancher]

An ideal option for opening air defense positions, and if they don’t shoot down explosives, you can load a lot on a fighter. The Chinese have a headache.

[cmax]

Quote: Bodypuncher

An ideal option for opening air defense positions, and if they don’t shoot down explosives, you can load a lot on a fighter. The Chinese have a headache.

Yes, bridges!

[Pavel57]

A reasonable decision, although also costly in its own way.

[Sanichsan]

How to say. for any cheaper than from scratch to make a new jet UAV. the airframe and the engine are already there, the controls are connected to the guidance system and you're done.

[Rumata]

Quote: Pavel57

A reasonable decision, although also costly in its own way.

Very inexpensive. Even cheaper than just recycling.
Compared to a similar rocket - just a penny.

[Pavel57]

If the war is tomorrow, then yes. If in 10 years, then maintaining a fleet of obsolete aircraft is a troublesome business.

[Babermetis]

It seems like the range is small, especially afterburner.

[Rumata]

Plyaaaaaa! This idea was first put forward by the legendary Bekauri, but they did not bring it to mind, and the author was shot.
In the winter, I found a communication channel and personally offered Barants to convert decommissioned Boeings into kamikazes. He did not pass it higher, but stupidly laughed at it. Stupid martinet.
50 tons of tortilla, the car is accompanied by a warrant. First Geranki, then Caliber. Wed EW, decoys, anti-radar missiles, heat traps.
Nothing will remain of the Dnieper bridges.

[Volunteer Marek]

To put it bluntly, this idea has always been in the air (sorry for the pun). Absolutely correct decision. There can be many benefits, with a relatively inexpensive alteration. In any case, such an application is much more useful than cutting into metal. Or rotting in landfills. Economic, business approach. To envy us.

[Alexey Lantukh]

Actually, in Soviet times, judging by the books, old planes were used at the end of their lives as targets for air defense and fighters.

[stankow]

Sperry made the first radio-controlled targets back in the twenties of the 20th century. A century ago

[Egor Adashev]

I hope we will follow this example and also put old planes (and not only) into business, and not into scrap metal ...

[Jackson]

They let it go a long time ago. Not funny. In the 90s, everything was sold for metal.

[Incvizitor]

That’s right, but we can’t even remake tanks for remote control.

[stankow]

And Uranus-8 and 9?
............. ...........

[Pavel57]

Quote: Egor Adashev

I hope we will follow this example and also put old planes (and not only) into business, and not into scrap metal ...

Is that the L-39 can be quickly converted.

[Private SA]

Quote: Pavel57

A reasonable decision, although also costly in its own way.

I reduced one minus for you, perfectly imagining how manual control
MiGs to remote or own via GPS or Glonass
airfield technicians will be re-equipped. And with what amount
Chinese army mat, knowing full well that this is all useless.