CASC CH-901
{{Infobox weapon
| name = CASC CH-901
| image = FH-901 Loitering UAV Army-2022 2022-08-20 2254.jpg
| caption = FH-901 loitering munition
| origin = China
| type = loitering munition
| manufacturer = China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
| production_date = 2016 - present
| variants = CASC CH-901A, Feihong FH-901
}}
The CASC CH-901 is a loitering munition developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) in 2016. The drone can be deployed in several ways; it can be carried by soldiers in the field and launched out of a tube, as well as from vehicles, aircraft, and UCAVs.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-05 |title=China's Mini-Drone Packs a Heavyweight Punch |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a20722/china-mini-drone/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Popular Mechanics |language=en-us}} In 2020 China unveiled a truck fitted with 48 launch tubes for CH-901 loitering munitions.
The CH-901 can also be launched from the new FH-97 loyal wingman drone unveiled at Airshow China in 2021.{{Cite web |title=FH-97 loyal wingman concept unveiled at Airshow China 2021 |url=https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/september/7692-fh-97-loyal-wingman-concept-unveiled-at-airshow-china-2021.html |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=www.airrecognition.com}}
{{External media|video1={{YouTube|id=JUg5GZqttkA |title=Footage of CH-901}}|float=right}}
Operation
The CH-901 can be readied and launched from its tube in 3 minutes.{{Cite web |title=China defense industry presents CH-901 suicide drone at SOFEX 2018 {{!}} SOFEX 2018 Official Online Show Daily News {{!}} Defence security military exhibition 2018 daily news category |url=https://armyrecognition.com/sofex_2018_official_online_show_daily_news/china_defense_industry_presents_ch-901_suicide_drone_at_sofex_2018.html |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=armyrecognition.com}} The drone then dashes to its target area at 180 km/h (110 mph), where it flies around for up to 60 minutes, at 100 km/h (62 mph) and at an altitude of 100 m (330 ft) to 150 m (490 ft). Once a target is located using the drones electro-optical guidance, it dives onto its target at 288 km/h (179 mph) and detonates its warhead. The CH-901 can carry a 3.5 kg (7.5 lbs) high explosive warhead, a fragmentation charge, a shaped charge for penetrating armor, or a camera for reconnaissance. The drones can also be launched in waves to swarm and overwhelm enemies.{{Cite web |last=Eshel |first=Tamir |date=2022-08-29 |title=A New Chinese Loitering Weapon Appears in Thailand |url=https://defense-update.com/20220829_fh901.html |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=Defense Update |language=en-US}}
Specifications
{{Aircraft specs|ref={{citation needed|date=February 2023}}|prime units?=met
|length ft=3|length in=11|length note=|gross weight lb=19.8|gross weight note=|max speed kmh=288|cruise speed kmh=180|cruise speed note=cruising to target|stall speed kmh=|stall speed note=|never exceed speed kmh=|never exceed speed note=|minimum control speed kmh=|minimum control speed note=|range km=15|combat range km=|combat range note=|ferry range km=|ferry range note=|endurance=60 minutes|length m=1.2|max speed note=when diving|ceiling m=150}}
References
External links
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