Biggest air show unveils marvels

A military drone that can cruise for 20 hours at 15,000 meters according to its maker was among Chinese warplanes, missiles and other weapons technology shown in public for the first time yesterday at the opening of the country's biggest air show.

And China's space program chiefs planned to unveil a rocket for crewed space flight capable of carrying a 22.6-tonne payload into lunar orbit at the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition at Zhuhai. The event, which runs to Sunday, was postponed from late 2020 due to the pandemic.

Powered by two turbofan engines, the CH-6 drone can carry early warning radar, air-to-ground missiles and other weapons, according to its manufacturer, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.

China is "clearly positioning itself to be an alternative supplier" of advanced drones, Janes' analyst Kelvin Wong remarked.

And the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology is to unveil a manned carrier rocket and a heavy-lift launch vehicle. The three-stage rocket is seen as fitting into China's manned lunar probe program.

Other hardware on show include the WZ-7 high-altitude drone for border reconnaissance and maritime patrolling and the J-16D fighter that has the ability to jam electronic equipment. Both have now entered service with the air force.

"They will play a major role in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea," military commentator Song Zhongping said.