CASC CH-92

History

The CH-92 is a Chinese-made drone developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology (CASC). Originally designed for surveillance and reconnaissance tasks, it has been upgraded to carry weapons. This unmanned aircraft has a range of up to 155 miles and can fly at altitudes of about 16,000 feet. Its design features a streamlined fuselage with wings and a rear-mounted engine that drives a propeller assembly.

Part of a series of drones by CASC, the CH-92 has found success in regions like Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe due to limitations in U.S. drone technology sales and China's restricted access to European markets. Notable improvements to the CH-92 include under-wing hardpoints for attaching weapons and precision-guided capabilities. It serves as a low to mid-altitude Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) with a distinctive twin-boom configuration.

An impactful deployment occurred in July 2020 when the Serbian Air Force received operational prototypes of the CH-92A variant along with missiles, signifying a significant military advancement for Serbia. This acquisition positioned Serbia as the first Balkan nation to possess drone strike capabilities, showcasing the drone's importance in modernizing and enhancing a country's military capabilities.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service: 2018

Origins: China

Status: Active.

Crew: 0

Production: 50

Manufacturer: China Aerospace Science and Technology (CASC) China

Carrier: China; Serbia

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Disable support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Unmanned

Aircraft designed (or later developed) have inherent unmanned capabilities and can fill a variety of battlefield roles.

Performance

Installed: 1 x conventional engine, in a thruster configuration, driving the propeller unit at the rear of the fuselage.

Maximum: 16,404 feet (5,000 m | 3 mi)

Area: 155 km (250 km | 463 nautical miles)

Armed

If armed, supports 2 x Anti-Tank Missiles (ATGM), Precision Guided Guns or similar over two hardpoints.