Unveiled at the International Exhibition of National Security and Resilience in Dubai, NORINCO’s Sky Saker is a coaxial rotor, 100-200kg helicopter UCAV. The Sky Saker H300’s cameras include electro-optical and infrared systems, along with laser target designators. In addition to surveillance and fire control, the Sky Saker H300 can provide midcourse corrections for guided munitions launched by other platforms, such as cruise missiles from H-6K bombers or shells fired from PLZ-05 howitzers. The Sky Saker H300’s ground control station is likely to be networked to a wider array of Chinese military systems for integrated fire effect, which would make it not only a valuable asset for counterinsurgency and urban combat, but also for wider missions like hunting enemy small ships (such as the Taiwanese Tuo stealth boat) or electronic warfare vehicles. The Sky Saker has two missile launch tubes mounted on the fuselage sides; given that those missiles are “fire and forget”, they are likely a version of the HJ-10 anti-tank missiles, which already arms the Z-10 attack helicopters, or even smaller 16kg TL-2 missiles. Just as Chinese conventional drones like the CH-4 have already made their mark in Middle Eastern conflict, the H-300 could soon see even more export and combat opportunities. Smaller, cheaper and with vertical take off capabilities that make it ideal for operating in urban and austere environments like jungles, this little robot helicopter would herald a new phase in the proliferation of armed robots. You may also be interested in: The Military Applications of China’s CES Passenger Drone China’s New Trio of Urban Combat Robots China Shows Off its Growing Drone Fleet China Tests Its Largest Airship Iraq’s New Chinese Drone Draws First Blood Pterodactyl Drones in Chinese Air Force Service Did A Chinese Made Drone Just Crash in Nigeria?
