Zhuhai Airshow 2024

I found that the biggest feature of this year's Zhuhai Airshow is that it no longer covers up. As long as there are civilian people who can enter the scene, you can point the camera at the plane and carefully take pictures, including the entire installation process and various detailsScreenshot_20241111_202055.jpgScreenshot_20241111_202446.jpg
 
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China's military robo-wolves unveiled at Airshow China 2024, possessing high mobility and adaptability in complex terrains

By Global Times
Published: Nov 11, 2024 05:40 PM

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Reporters from the Global Times on Sunday interacted with robo-wolves, or quadrupedal robots at the ground dynamic display area of Airshow China 2024.

An unmanned combat system of robo-wolves, or quadrupedal robots, developed by China South Industries Group Corporation (CSGC), has attracted wide attention with its cutting-edge design and advanced combat concepts at this year's Airshow China being held in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province.

Reporters from the Global Times on Sunday interacted with these quadrupedal robots at the Airshow's ground dynamic display area. After the field vehicle carrying quadrupedal robots was parked, a number of these types of robots got off the vehicle themselves and began interacting with the GT reporters following the commander's instructions.

The Global Times learnt from the CSGC that these robo-wolves are named for their ability to perform in cluster operations like wolves. They are capable of providing integrated cluster combat tactics for special operations detachments and infantry detachments.

These quadrupedal robots, based on a general-purpose platform, feature high mobility and adaptability in complex terrains. They are equipped with capabilities such as walking alongside people, overcoming high obstacles and climbing stairs in complex terrains, and can walk in most terrains.

With a total weight of 70 kilograms, robo-wolves enable applications in multifunctional and various scenarios by equipping various payloads, a staff member from CSGC told the Global Times on Sunday.

The staff member said that they are currently developing a new mode for air-ground collaborative operations in unmanned clusters based on groups of ground-based robo-wolves and airborne drones. The robo-wolves can also carry drones to operate jointly, the staff added.

The cluster system of robo-wolves consists of multiple types of bionic quadrupedal robots, including integrated strike quadrupedal robots, reconnaissance and detection quadrupedal robots, transport quadrupedal robots, and operation and disposal quadrupedal robots, the Global Times learned.

These quadrupedal robots are capable of performing complex clearance tasks in town streets, factories, mines, caves and other scenarios in a coordinated manner.

The system is composed of a carrier or control vehicle, coupled with a number of multi-type quadrupedal robots.

This time, the GT reporter had an opportunity to see a formation formed by two integrated strike-type quadruped robots, one reconnaissance and detection-type quadruped robot, and one transport-type quadruped robot. It supports a combat radius of up to two kilometers, an endurance of up to three hours, and a maximum of 30 self-organizing network nodes.

Using the cluster warfare concept, this system enables interconnectivity, information sharing and dynamic autonomous collaboration among humans, vehicles, and robots. The system also possesses an integrated unmanned combat capabilities in complex environments for investigation, combat, destruction, evaluation and protection.

In addition, the system provides effective solutions to the problems associated with poor communication capability, weak assault capability, limited access, weak cross-layer mobility and weak single-unit combat effectiveness in the complicated environments like urban areas and plateau mountains, which in turn enables the special forces and infantry detachments to be provided with clustered and integrated combat tactics.

 
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China's cargo space shuttle enters engineering development phase: chief designer

By Global Times
Published: Nov 11, 2024 07:47 PM

The model of a Haolong spacecraft is on display at the exhibition hall of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China at the Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province from November 12 to 17, 2024. Photo: Liu Xuanzun/GT

The model of a Haolong spacecraft is on display at the exhibition hall of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China at the Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province from November 12 to 17, 2024. Photo: Liu Xuanzun/GT

China's newly announced space cargo shuttle, the Haolong, has become a highlight of the ongoing Airshow China 2024. Its chief designer Fang Yuanpeng told the Global Times that the spacecraft has entered the engineering development phase, and the public can expect to see it soon.

The Haolong space cargo shuttle is developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The institute developed several types of Chinese fighter jets, including the J-20, the J-10 and the FC-1, all featuring "long," meaning dragon in Chinese, in their nicknames.

Fang said that if an aircraft needs to enter space orbit, it needs to take into account all the effects of the space environment on the vehicle, so many design concepts of a space shuttle needs to consider both aeronautics and spaceflight. But the main challenge is still the aerodynamic design, he said.

The Haolong features a large wingspan design with high lift-to-drag ratio. It is about 10 meters long and eight meters wide. This design means that the spacecraft has relatively high maneuverability within the atmosphere, and that it has more reentry opportunities, according to Fang.

According to Fang, the space shuttle Haolong can be launched into orbit via a commercial carrier rocket once loaded with cargo. After entering orbit, the Haolong will unfold its solar panels and open its docking shield. After maneuvers to close in on the space station, the rear of the Haolong will dock with the space station, and astronauts can access Haolong's cargo bay to pick up and store goods. After completing the mission, the Haolong will leave the space station, depart from the orbit and reenter the atmosphere, before landing on an airport horizontally.

The Haolong can receive maintenance similar to an aircraft after landing, so it can conduct another mission, according to Fang. Its reusability means that the full life cycle cost is significantly lowered, he said.

The development of the spacecraft is divided into design, engineering development, and cargo mission phases. Fang revealed that the design phase is already complete, and the engineering development phase is underway. "I believe that the public will see it soon," he said.

 

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