Fei Hong series UAVs are displayed at Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province. Photo: Courtesy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation

China-made electronic warfare FH-95 and high-speed stealth FH-97 drones emerged from a crowded field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at Airshow China in Zhuhai, enhancing battlefield resilience & coverage in combat situations. 

The FH-95 electronic warfare drone and FH-97 high-speed stealth drone were two eye-catching products which are part of the Fei Hong series drones developed by the Aerospace Times Feihong Technology Company (ATFTC) under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation on display at the Airshow.

According to materials obtained by the Global Times from the ATFTC, FH-97 is a medium-range high-speed UAV. It can quickly obtain comprehensive situation details, carry out tasks such as rapid reconnaissance and surveillance, and verify target positioning, artillery correction, damage effect evaluation.

"UAVs will be put into a complex battlefield environment in future war. In face of enhanced missile systems that contain airborne early warning aircraft, stealth fight jets and electronic warfare aircraft, high-speed drones can largely increase battlefield survivability and penetration capability," Chen Jianguo, ATFTC general manager and researcher, told the Global Times.       

FH-97 can also realize long-distance rapid reconnaissance and effectively guarantee medium and long-range fire-power strike weapons, according to ATFTC analysis.   

The system can carry out detection and research, identification and tracking, accurate positioning as well as intelligent attack on critical locations and facilities. It can carry the smaller FH-901 drone to quickly and accurately attack enemy maneuvering targets and sensitive targets. 

Another star product within the Fei Hong UAV series is FH-95 electronic warfare & armed reconnaissance UAV system, which can be used to perform all-weather, all-day reconnaissance and surveillance.

FH-95, a medium-and-long range multi-functional UAV, offers at least 12 hours of endurance and 850 kilograms of take-off weight and adopts wheeled take-off and landing. It can be equipped with four types of weapon systems according to the needs of battlefield and anti-terrorism to achieve fixed-point clearance and electronic countermeasures. 

A satellite communication system can also be installed to the system to complete long-range combat missions in complex environments. 

Chen noted that electronic warfare has been a vital component of modern war, with electronic warfare, reconnaissance and early warning drones becoming essential tools for future war as they can conduct remote detection outside the defense area or tactical feint and saturated attack in coordination with manned aircraft.

The ATFTC Fei Hong UAV series also include FH-902 hand-throwing system, FH-92A reconnaissance & attack system as well as FH-96 long-endurance system.   

The FH-92A reconnaissance & attack system is the first China-made military UAV equipment that has been exported to Europe. In total, the Fei Hong UAV series products have been exported to 10 countries in South America, Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, according to the ATFTC.        

During live combat, product from the series can perform a series of activities via cooperation of different systems. For example, after receiving a command, the FH-95 would conduct electromagnetic interference at first, followed by FH-97's defense penetration and first layer fire suppression. Then FH-92A would conduct a second round strike with helicopter providing residual support.