China's ambition to explore 'dead zone' for military intelligence purposes

(Baonghean.vn)- High-altitude reconnaissance drones could help China control “near space” – the area in the Earth’s atmosphere that is considered the center of the modern space race.

Near space, an area about 20 km above sea level, is currently considered a “dead zone” for drones, because the thin air at this altitude makes it difficult for aircraft to generate lift, while the extremely low temperatures mean electronic components like batteries are susceptible to failure.

A research facility in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has successfully tested an experimental drone operating at an altitude of 25 kilometers. Photo: Reuters

However, a new design for a Chinese-made drone, currently undergoing testing, appears to have overcome these flaws, marking a major step in China's ambitions to explore near space for military intelligence purposes.

Near space has long been considered a potential area for intelligence agencies, but it remains largely unexplored because the terrain is too high for most aircraft to operate, and too low for satellites. The goal is to develop a stable near-space vehicle capable of monitoring large areas for weeks, months, or even years.

Drones, which cost much less than a satellite with similar capabilities, are considered one of the best ways to achieve this goal. Until now, only the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk spy plane, launched in the mid-1990s, is considered the highest-altitude spy plane, with a ceiling of about 19 km.

However, last month, a research facility in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region successfully tested an experimental drone operating at an altitude of 25 kilometers. Each drone, about the size of a bat, was deployed using an electromagnetic pulse that could accelerate them from zero to 100 kilometers per hour, within an arm’s length.

High-altitude spy drones could help China control “near space.” Photo: AP

“It shot out like a bullet,” said Yang Yanchu, a scientist leading the project at the Institute of Optoelectronics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.

Notably, during flight, these aircraft leave almost no trace on radar screens due to their small size. In addition, the cost of manufacturing these aircraft is only a few hundred yuan (equivalent to a few dozen USD).

However, according to Mr. Yang, this aircraft will not be equipped with cameras, because transmitting photo or video data over long distances requires a massive antenna, which is not suitable for flights in near space.

Professor Yang added that in recent years, similar test flights have also been conducted by the US Navy and NASA, as the US seeks a new weapon to penetrate air defense systems and collect sensitive intelligence behind the front lines.

However, according to Professor Yang Chunxin from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, there are still many challenges in the development of drones operating in high-altitude areas./.

Lan Ha

(According to SCMP)