SAC UAV
| SAC UAV | |
|---|---|
| Role | UAV |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | SAC |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | China |
|
| |
SAC UAVs are Chinese UAVs developed by Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation (SAC) intended for both civilian and military applications.
HFT-200A Thunderbird
HFT-200A Thunderbird (Lei-Niao or Leiniao, 雷鸟) is a jet-powered fixed-wing UAV. Externally, HFT-200A resembles a scaledown version of CAIG Sky Wing III, and both have exact layout.[1] The only obvious external visual difference between the two UAVs is that the engine nacelle of HFT-200A Thunderbird is smoothly integrated to the fuselage, as opposed to that of Sky Wing III, where the engine nacelle is distinct from the fuselage of Sky Wing III. HFT-200A has made it made flight in 2007. Although HFT=200A Thunderbird is capable of conventionally taking off, this is rarelydone due to the huge consumption of fuel. Instead, rocket assisted takeoff is often adopted.[2] Specification:[3]
- Length: 1.7 m
- Wingspan: 2.3 m
- Speed: 500 km/hr
- Payload: 10 kg
- Ceiling: 5 km
- Range: 200 km
- Power plant: 1 turbojet engine
- Unit cost: ¥: 500,000
- Remote control distance: 100 km
- Takeoff: Conventional or rocket assisted
- Takeoff speed: 100 km/hr
- Takeoff distance: 110 m
- Recovery: conventional landing or parachute
Soar Goose
Soar Goose (Xiang-Yan or Xiangyan, 翔雁) is one of the fixed-wing UAV developed by SAC. Externally, Soar Goose is similar to a scaledown version of Guizhou Soar Dragon, adopting the same joined wing design. The biggest difference between Soar Dragon and Soar Goose besides size is that Soar Goose adopts a piston engine as opposed to the turbojet engine of Soar Dragon, and the two-blade propeller driven by a pusher engine is mounted at the rear end of empennage of the UAV.[4] This simple but reliable engine consumes very little fuel and thus enable Soar Goose to achieve long endurance. Soar Goose program first begun in August 2007 and design was completed within a month. By December 2007, the first prototype was completed and maiden flight was completed on May 2, 2008. Like its jet-powered cousin HFT-200A Thunderbird, Soar Goose also has a tricycle landing gear system.[5] Specification:[6]
- Length: 2.7 m
- Wingspan: 4 m
- Speed: 110 km/hr
- Endurance: > 15 hr
- Empty weight: 38 kg
- Max takeoff weight: 70 kg
- Fuel Capacity: 10 L
- Fuel consumption: < 1 L/hr
- Payload: 20 kg
- Landing distance: < 80 m