The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is trying to make progress in the field of military robotics and unmanned systems
Beijing has developed quite a few unmanned aerial vehicles, which are used by the army, air force, navy and strategic missile force
Currently, the Chinese Navy and Air Force are using the BZK-005 long-range UAV
It is known as China's Global Hawk with an estimated range of 2,400 km and a maximum endurance of 40 hours
BZK-005, designed by Beihang University's UAV Institute and Harbin Aircraft Industry Corporation, has been in development since 2000
It underwent testing and verification in 2006, before being finalized and delivered around 2007
The Chinese UAV has a length of about 9 meters, a wingspan of 19 meters, and a maximum take-off weight of 1.25 tons
BZK-005 has a few stealth features integrated into its design
It is believed that a satellite data link antenna is held in its large upper body dome
Under the body there is an optic-electric sensor system which is believed to be its main sensor
It is expected that BZK-005 has cruising speed of around 170 km/h, service ceiling 8,000 m
max takeoff weight is around 1,200 kg, max payload over 150 kg
BZK-005 has active/passive all-weather reconnaissance capability
Usually, high-altitude reconnaissance unmanned opportunities use synthetic aperture radar
and optoelectronic equipment as the main means of reconnaissance
The former is an active detection method capable of penetrating clouds, vegetation and other unfavorable conditions for detection
The latter is a passive detection method and is not easily perceived by the other party
But more importantly, this drone has the capability of reconnaissance of passive radio signals
that is, using its own special equipment to collect signals from radios such as radars and communication equipments of the other side
and to summarize them, adding an extra latitude to the reconnaissance work
On the whole, the many technical achievements of the Long Eagle UAV broke a number of domestic records and filled the gap
making China's high-altitude reconnaissance drones into the world's most advanced ranks
The actual role of this drone is like a satellite with wings
which has profound implications for China's military to master the modern combat mode
Two variants of the BZK-005 are the BZK-005E export version, and the combat version BZK-005C
The BZK-005E platform also uses standardized and modular design
which can easily and quickly load different performance or different types of reconnaissance/surveillance equipment
according to different mission requirements, and conduct photoelectric reconnaissance
radar reconnaissance, electronic reconnaissance and communication
The BZK-005C is an integrated surveillance and strike drone, which is based on the advantages of the original version
It can equipped with bombs or missiles with more than 300kg payload
First revealed by Chinese state media on November 11th, 2018
The BZK-005 is in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy and People's Liberation Army Air Force
It may be known as "Sea Eagle" in PLAN service and "Giant Eagle" in PLAAF service
Most recently, In August 2021, the BZK-005 was spotted over the East China Sea alongside two Y-9s