Can replace the Russian Federation Iranian drones: Chinese analog SHAHED-136 passed the test (video)

Sunflower-200 UAVs are much smarter than Shahd, as well as equipped with optics for drawing more accurate blows, experts say. The Internet shows a test of Chinese drone-Kamikadze "Sunflower-200", which was presented a month ago at the Russian exhibition "Army 2023". According to Forbes expert David Gambling, the drone is a modernized version of the Iranian shock drone Shahd-136 that Russia uses in the war against Ukraine, and can be a replacement.

From a technical point of view, both UAVs are similar both externally and internally: the cruising speed of "sunflower-200" 160-220 km/h with a margin, which can be 1500 or 2000 kilometers, and a 40-pound warhead is similar. Like ShahED-136, Sunflower-200 can start with a rocket installation and can be started by catapult. The advertising material at the exhibition "Army 2023" stated that drones were launched from an octagonal starting installation.

Then it was possible to doubt the performance of Chinese drone Kamikadze, but the video demonstrates that it could fly. The biggest difference is that the sunflower-200 has an intellectual guide. Shahd-136 is a pseudoracy (when launching drone, they set a set of target coordinates), not a real barration ammunition capable of changing the purpose or looking for objects on Earth. None of the versions noticed in Ukraine have cameras or other sensors.

In contrast, Sunflower-200 is equipped with daytime and thermal imaging cameras, as well as a machine learning system that enables him to find a specific purpose. This may not be more difficult than a digital correlator of the scene comparison, designed for the Tomahawk winged rocket in the 1970s, which provides navigation when satellite guidance is blocked, but it can be difficult enough to distinguish between specific goals, such as air defense or artillery.

The camera can also transmit the image to the operator up to 50 km (30 miles), which allows you to manually send "Sunflower-200" to the target. According to the author of the article, a recent report on the ShahED-136 disaster in Romania can also indicate problems with the quality of drones of Russian production. China's drones can be an attractive option for Russia, if the price is suitable, consider forbes.

According to the edition, the cost of Iranian ShahED-136 range from $ 20,000 to $ 50,000, and the winged rocket "Caliber"-$ 980,000. There is very little information about "Sunflower-200". One of the interpretations is that China is aware of the power of a long -range ammunition, and simply wants to add them to its portfolio, notes the expert of the publication. Earlier, Focus reported that the Ukrainian "invisible" drone Spygun has been tested and moved to mass production.