7 killer drones that define the future of warfare
If we are to believe some of the greatest minds of our era, it is probably good that artificial intelligence is not yet at that level that we should be worried that would one day these weapons might turn against us. But the future of warfare definitely lies in the weapons that do not require directly the presence of military personnel on the battlefield. In recent years, military forces have invested heavily in the so-called drones, unmanned aircraft that were initially used for the purpose of studying the hostile terrain, and lately more as a craft with the possibility of attacks on military targets. Some of them are still in the testing phase, while others are already in use for years and sow fear battlefields across the globe. Today we bring you the seven deadly drones that clearly indicate the direction of the future of warfare.
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk
Primarily designed with the aim of monitoring and collecting information in order to replace the famous Lockheed U-2 spy plane, the Global Hawk eventually gets the versions with heavy weapons that can inflict heavy losses to the opponent. The price of each unit is more than $ 100 million, but as it's not managed by pilot, can in the air spend more than 30 hours, during which cover more than 100,000 square kilometers of terrain. Equipped with the most advanced equipment for monitoring, and considering the mission, can carry up to 1,360 kilograms of weapons.
CH-4 (Cai Hong-4)
Chinese spacecraft developed in response to the US MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft. The main purpose the reconnaissance, surveillance, information gathering, targeting and attack on military targets on land and water. In the air may spend as much as 38 hours with a maximum range of 3,500 kilometers. The maximum height of flight is 8000 meters and can carry 345 kilograms of weapons, which is quite a burden with regard to the length of the drone only 9 meters. CH-4 has the ability to launch missiles from a height of 5000 meters, with the possibility of errors up to 1.5 meters. One copy is in the composition of the Iraqi army, and is used in the fight against global terrorism.
MQ-9 Reaper (aka Predator B)
MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle, begin as an ordinary type of Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, with the subsequent improvements probably the most lethal aircraft currently in active military service. Upgraded turbo engine gives it nearly nine times more power than the Predator aircraft type, which allows up to 36 hours of continuous flight of more than 1,300 kilograms of weapons, as many as fifteen times more compared to the Predator aircraft type. It has the ability to launch laser-guided bombs and Hellfire missiles with incredible precision to land, but also military targets in the air. The maximum flight altitude of over 15 kilometers.
General Atomics Avenger (Predator C)
Developed based on MQ-9 Reaper, Avenger launches a jet engine with exhaust-shaped, in order to reduce heat and radar trace. It has been developed on the basis of "stealth" technology, and storage of weapons found within the craft. With a top speed of flight of 740 km / h, operating height of more than 18 kilometers, and the possibility of staying in the air for more than 20 hours, the Avenger can sneak up on an opponent and inflict enormous damage without even being noticed. Armament Avenger similarly as with the Reaper drones, and internal storage can store about 1,400 kilograms of weapons. Although the first flight took place back in 2009, the Avenger is not yet in active military service.
BAE Systems “Taranis”
Unmanned future aerial vehicle developed by British company BAE Systems for the British Air Force. Named after the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis, the unmanned aircraft had its first test flight in 2013, until the end of the year they plan to final testing. Although the data on this drone for now quite thin, it is known that it will fly at a speed greater than 1100 km / h and will be used for reconnaissance missions as well as missions of marking targets, and will have the option of attacking ground targets, but also the possibility air combat. As Avenger, using "stealth" technology, and can seamlessly approach to the target and use all of its hidden arsenal.
Boenig Phantom Ray
Boeing project that instills fear into anime Phantom Ray unmanned aerial vehicle that is designed to operate autonomously (without operator assistance), and determines the course of the mission itself. Yes, we are one step closer to machines that think for themselves, and when we consider that these unmanned aircraft can carry more than two tons of weapons, the same to us instantly create a lump in my throat. With the "stealth" technology, the speed of flight of nearly 1000 km / h and a range greater than 2,400 kilometers, just waiting for when a copy can run out of control. The good thing is that this aircraft is still in the testing phase.
Northrop Grumman X-47B
Northrop Grumman response on Boeing Phantom Ray unmanned aircraft, but unlike it, this aircraft is in the active military service of the United States Navy. X-47B's first unmanned aircraft that flew and landed on an aircraft carrier, and it is the first unmanned aerial vehicle which was successfully carried out the maneuver refueling in the air. Unlike the Phantom Ray unmanned airborne vehicles, X47-B is not completely autonomous, but as she used "stealth" technology and can carry more than two tons of weapons. In 2015, the program of development of the aircraft was stopped, and the two produced copies for now remain in active military service.
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk
Primarily designed with the aim of monitoring and collecting information in order to replace the famous Lockheed U-2 spy plane, the Global Hawk eventually gets the versions with heavy weapons that can inflict heavy losses to the opponent. The price of each unit is more than $ 100 million, but as it's not managed by pilot, can in the air spend more than 30 hours, during which cover more than 100,000 square kilometers of terrain. Equipped with the most advanced equipment for monitoring, and considering the mission, can carry up to 1,360 kilograms of weapons.
CH-4 (Cai Hong-4)
Chinese spacecraft developed in response to the US MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft. The main purpose the reconnaissance, surveillance, information gathering, targeting and attack on military targets on land and water. In the air may spend as much as 38 hours with a maximum range of 3,500 kilometers. The maximum height of flight is 8000 meters and can carry 345 kilograms of weapons, which is quite a burden with regard to the length of the drone only 9 meters. CH-4 has the ability to launch missiles from a height of 5000 meters, with the possibility of errors up to 1.5 meters. One copy is in the composition of the Iraqi army, and is used in the fight against global terrorism.
MQ-9 Reaper (aka Predator B)
MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle, begin as an ordinary type of Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, with the subsequent improvements probably the most lethal aircraft currently in active military service. Upgraded turbo engine gives it nearly nine times more power than the Predator aircraft type, which allows up to 36 hours of continuous flight of more than 1,300 kilograms of weapons, as many as fifteen times more compared to the Predator aircraft type. It has the ability to launch laser-guided bombs and Hellfire missiles with incredible precision to land, but also military targets in the air. The maximum flight altitude of over 15 kilometers.
General Atomics Avenger (Predator C)
Developed based on MQ-9 Reaper, Avenger launches a jet engine with exhaust-shaped, in order to reduce heat and radar trace. It has been developed on the basis of "stealth" technology, and storage of weapons found within the craft. With a top speed of flight of 740 km / h, operating height of more than 18 kilometers, and the possibility of staying in the air for more than 20 hours, the Avenger can sneak up on an opponent and inflict enormous damage without even being noticed. Armament Avenger similarly as with the Reaper drones, and internal storage can store about 1,400 kilograms of weapons. Although the first flight took place back in 2009, the Avenger is not yet in active military service.
BAE Systems “Taranis”
Unmanned future aerial vehicle developed by British company BAE Systems for the British Air Force. Named after the Celtic god of thunder, Taranis, the unmanned aircraft had its first test flight in 2013, until the end of the year they plan to final testing. Although the data on this drone for now quite thin, it is known that it will fly at a speed greater than 1100 km / h and will be used for reconnaissance missions as well as missions of marking targets, and will have the option of attacking ground targets, but also the possibility air combat. As Avenger, using "stealth" technology, and can seamlessly approach to the target and use all of its hidden arsenal.
Boenig Phantom Ray
Boeing project that instills fear into anime Phantom Ray unmanned aerial vehicle that is designed to operate autonomously (without operator assistance), and determines the course of the mission itself. Yes, we are one step closer to machines that think for themselves, and when we consider that these unmanned aircraft can carry more than two tons of weapons, the same to us instantly create a lump in my throat. With the "stealth" technology, the speed of flight of nearly 1000 km / h and a range greater than 2,400 kilometers, just waiting for when a copy can run out of control. The good thing is that this aircraft is still in the testing phase.
Northrop Grumman X-47B
Northrop Grumman response on Boeing Phantom Ray unmanned aircraft, but unlike it, this aircraft is in the active military service of the United States Navy. X-47B's first unmanned aircraft that flew and landed on an aircraft carrier, and it is the first unmanned aerial vehicle which was successfully carried out the maneuver refueling in the air. Unlike the Phantom Ray unmanned airborne vehicles, X47-B is not completely autonomous, but as she used "stealth" technology and can carry more than two tons of weapons. In 2015, the program of development of the aircraft was stopped, and the two produced copies for now remain in active military service.
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