Combat support drones appear in Beijing

The Chinese military transported several combat support drones to Beijing, expected for display in a parade early next month.

Images released on 17/8 show at least three combat support drone models have arrived in Beijing as the Chinese military prepares for a parade early next month.

Among these is a drone that appears to be the FH-97, believed to be inspired by the US-developed XQ-58A Valkyrie prototype. The drone has swept-back main wings and a V-shaped tail, a pointed nose, and dorsal engine inlets.

A suspected FH-97 drone in Beijing, China, in a photo released on 17/8. Photo: War Zone

A suspected FH-97 drone in Beijing, China, in a photo released on 17/8. Photo: War Zone

"This drone bears a strong resemblance to the FH-97 model first displayed at the 2021 Zhuhai Airshow. The shape of the vertical tail is very similar to the FH-97 and the XQ-58," observed Joseph Trevithick, editor of the US military website War Zone.

Rick Joe, a specialist in Chinese military affairs, believes Beijing has been quietly developing specialized air-combat support drones. "The FH-97 and the FH-97A variant, which appeared at the Zhuhai airshow in 11/2022, are just a small part of this program," he said.

Two large drones also appeared in Beijing last week. One, covered in a green tarp, has a flying-wing design with a long, narrow nose and wings extending from the fuselage. The other, covered in yellow and brown tarp, has a larger nose and swept-back wings.

A large drone covered in green tarp on a Beijing street in a photo released on 17/8. Photo: War Zone

A large drone covered in green tarp on a Beijing street in a photo released on 17/8. Photo: War Zone

These three aircraft are among five drones that appeared in satellite imagery of a military base southwest of Beijing in June. Clearer images of the remaining two drones, which appear to employ a tailless delta-wing design, are not yet available.

Trevithick said the new drones suggest China is developing a range of support aircraft for operation from land bases, as well as aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.

China is scheduled to hold a parade in Beijing on 3/9 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan. The Chinese military will showcase new combat forces and existing weapons designed for "future warfare", but has not specified which ones. The two-seat J-20S stealth fighter is expected to be the control aircraft for these support drones. The KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft may also become part of China's mixed manned-unmanned combat system. Some even suggest the H-6 bomber could launch tactical drones.