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| Chinese Wing Loong UCAV (File Photo) |
By WENDELL MINNICK
TAIPEI — The Project 2049 Institute released a detailed study on China’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs on March 11.
The 29-page report (PDF), “The Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Project: Organizational Capacities and Operational Capabilities,” by Ian Easton and L.C. Russell Hsiao, explores the organizations and individuals responsible for developing UAV-related policies and mission requirements. Defense News was given a sneak peek prior to release.
The study also examines primary military-industrial organizations responsible for the design, research and development, and production of UAVs; what UAV units are operational; and how UAV capabilities will evolve.
According to the report, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) fields one of the world’s most expansive UAV fleets. The report estimates there were more than 280 UAVs in service as of mid-2011. This number will increase significantly as more UAV research-and-development centers complete comprehensive product testing and move into mass production.
Read the full story at DefenseNews