North Korea imitates US drones, first public appearance | Drone | North Korea
According to a report on the US "Driving" website on July 27th, North Korea has unveiled two new types of drones, which have almost identical appearances to the famous US made RQ-4 "Global Hawk" and MQ-9 "Reaper" drones. North Korean state media also provided short videos showcasing the flight process of these two aircraft. Although the specific performance of these North Korean drones is not yet clear, the fact that Pyongyang has been investing resources in developing drones at least indicates that North Korea's interest in advanced drones designed for reconnaissance and attack is growing day by day, and it has the ability to turn these interests into reality.
The specific name of the North Korean drone is still unknown, according to the report. At present, they are temporarily referred to as the "Global Hawk" and "Reaper" drones.
These two drones were officially unveiled at the weapons and equipment exhibition on the 26th, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong un and Russian Defense Minister Shoigu.
According to reports, the larger of the two drones is the Global Hawk, which has a very similar appearance and size to the US Army's RQ-4A Global Hawk drone. The main features of the US made Global Hawk drone, such as the V-shaped tail and the intake above the fuselage, have been faithfully replicated in North Korea's drone design.
Last month, North Korea News Network, headquartered in the United States, reported that satellite images showed that the Fangxian Air Force Base in Pyonganbuk do, western North Korea, was conducting ground tests on the Global Hawk drone. At that time, the analysis indicated that the wing span was approximately 115 feet, which was almost the same as the wingspan of RQ-4A. In contrast, the improved RQ-4B has a wingspan of 130.9 feet.
▲ A new type of drone from North Korea unveiled at the military parade on the 27th
According to reports, there is currently almost no specific information about the specifications of North Korea's "Global Hawk" drone, or even the tasks it can perform. However, its similarities with the RQ-4 series drones clearly indicate that it will perform high-altitude flights. Based on engine performance and other factors, it is inferred that its endurance will be stronger. The RQ-4A drone has a range of over 30 hours and can perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It can carry a variety of sensors, including image intelligence, signal intelligence sensors, and moving target indicators.
According to reports, the Reaper drone, which was displayed in Pyongyang along with the larger Global Hawk drone, also appeared in recent satellite images. The image shows a wingspan of approximately 65 feet, close to the size of MQ-9.
The report points out that the MQ-9 Reaper drone, powered by a turboprop engine, can perform both ISR and attack missions. It is worth noting that North Korea's "Grim Reaper" drone hangs two different types of missiles on six pylons below its wings, one of which looks very similar to the American made AGM-114 "Jailfire" missile. The video clip also shows that the drone launched two missiles similar to "prison fire", but it is currently unclear whether this is true.
According to reports, in the past, North Korea mainly used small and rudimentary unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, but now we know that it also has larger drones. Although neither of the aforementioned North Korean drones was able to survive the full-scale conflict with South Korea and the United States, for North Korea, simply manufacturing, testing, and operating these drones is a beneficial task. The experience gained from it can enable their largely independent aerospace industry to achieve other designs that are more adaptable to reality. And they can also play certain roles in peacetime. In fact, making these drones fly is itself a success.
