Recently, Chinese authorities organized a visit for foreign military students to a Chinese drone exhibition, where they introduced a very unique unmanned transport aircraft.
This unmanned transport aircraft, codenamed "FL-2" (Feilong-2), features a flying wing aerodynamic design without vertical tails.
Data shows that the FL-2 unmanned transport aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 22 tons, a top flight speed of 0.73 Mach, and uses a twin-engine design.
With a cargo load of 6 tons, its range can reach 7000 kilometers.
Since this unmanned transport aircraft is a military-civilian cooperation project, detailed information is not fully disclosed yet.
However, there is no doubt that the FL-2 has broad development prospects in the future.
As the first fixed-wing unmanned transport aircraft to be publicly unveiled, the FL-2 holds great potential value.
First of all, its application in shipborne transportation is very noteworthy.
The size of the FL-2 is suitable for deployment on the Type 076 amphibious assault ship, which is considered China's version of a "lightning carrier," relying on various drones and helicopters for combat, equipped with two electromagnetic catapults, allowing carrier-based aircraft to take off fully loaded without losing flight energy.
In special operations missions, the FL-2 can accompany helicopters carrying special forces, delivering 6 tons of operational supplies to the target area, thereby saving the helicopter's load capacity.
In comparison, the C-2A "Greyhound" transport aircraft on U.S. Navy carriers has a maximum takeoff weight of 24.7 tons and can carry up to 4.5 tons of cargo over 2400 kilometers.
The FL-2 surpasses this because it eliminates much unnecessary weight, such as pilots, cockpits, and complex avionics control systems.
In addition to transport missions, the FL-2 also has a hidden function of serving as a "bomber" when necessary.
For instance, the U.S. Air Force has developed a "rail palletized munitions module" specifically for transport aircraft, allowing transport aircraft to perform bombing missions if needed.
Although the PLA currently does not have a formal palletized munitions module, this design is not complex, much like modifying a drone to drop high-explosive grenades.
If there is a future need for the FL-2 unmanned transport aircraft to undertake frontline bombing missions after being deployed on ships, temporary installation of rails and pallets in the well deck can enable it to carry out these tasks.
These missions are primarily aimed at covering bombardments on targets in situations where the enemy's front line has already been suppressed, rather than targeting large, sturdy targets or ships with independent air defense capabilities.
This design for temporarily serving as a bomber is very safe because its flight altitude reaches 15,000 meters, interceptable only by high-altitude air defense missiles.
Currently, China’s technology in the field of drones has already surpassed that of many countries.
New concept platforms like the FL-2 not only have excellent performance but also the capacity for mass production.
However, given the wide variety of drones available on the market, even the high-performing FL-2 may find it difficult to secure a place in the PLA's operational system.
Analysts point out that if it is uncertain whether the military will procure it, the FL-2 unmanned transport aircraft, developed over three years, might pivot towards the foreign trade market, with Middle Eastern countries possibly becoming its primary target.
The emergence of the FL-2 unmanned transport aircraft marks another significant breakthrough for China in the field of drone technology and applications.
It not only showcases China's leading position in drone design and manufacturing but also provides new solutions for future military and civilian transportation.
With continuous technological advancements and the expansion of application scenarios, the FL-2 and similar unmanned transport aircraft will bring profound impacts and transformations to the global aviation transport field.
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