Beijing’s Beihang UAS Seeking Order To Export BZK-005E UAV

China’s Beihang, UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Technology is seeking its first international order for its export-specific BZK-005E Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MALE UAV).

Export licence for the air vehicle was issued in September this year.

The BZK-005E made its public debut at Airshow China, 20018. It is a modernised derivative of the indigenously developed BZK-005 (Changying). The UAV has a maximum take-off weight of 1,500 kg, with a length and wingspan of 10.05 m and 18 m respectively. Powered by a rear-mounted piston engine that drives a three-bladed pusher-propeller, the air vehicle can achieve a stated maximum level flight speed of 210 km/h although it typically cruises at 130–180 km/h up to its flight ceiling of 7,500 m (24,606 ft). Operational radius is understood to be in excess of 2,000 km when employing satellite communication datalinks, Janes 360 reported Wednesday.

The airframe of the BZK-005E is constructed from carbon fibre composite material, comprising a main fuselage nacelle that incorporates a dorsal satellite communications antenna fairing and side chines, swept back mid-mounted wings – featuring inset control and lift surfaces – that support twin tailbooms emanating from the trailing edges of structural pod fairings attached to the lower surface of the wings.

The air vehicle has an endurance of 40 hours and 370 kg payload capacity that enables it to be reconfigured for other mission types, including all-weather Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) with a chin-mounted synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system and a ventral EO/IR turret, ELINT, and communications relay, Janes quoted Beihang as saying.