Thread by @jesusfroman

1/16
THREAD 🧵
On the night of 8 April 2022, Chinese Media channel CCTV7 showed a very interesting clip: A🇨🇳PLA “female special team of a special operations brigade” in Xinjiang Military Region during a usual reconnaissance UAV drill.
However, there is far more that it… 👇

2/16
In fact, the drill seems very similar to many other 🇨🇳PLA drills that we have seem before (including female teams). They generally show an “ASN-family” UAV performing a generic list of tasks: UAV assembly, basic check-ups & bored stuff

https://twitter.com/jesusfroman/status/1432306300227047430

3/16
As mentioned, ASN-family UAV drills are pretty common in 🇨🇳TV, but is this the case? It seems so. This drone shares a few things: Similar body shape, similar tail framework, similar engine…. Parachute and lifting crane system is definitely similar to previous versions

4/16
But there are some clear differences: The body shape is very similar to the ASN family. Closest body shape is BZK-006 (even horizontal lines). However, this drone shows a slightly bulbous head. As far as I know, none of the ASN-family drones have this feature

5/16
The way the tail frames meet the wings is different to previous versions, that were either flush with the wing or with a huge bulb. This design is relatively compensated (for 🇨🇳PLA UAV standards)

6/16
Engine is very similar. However, this model has lost the exhaust pipes (2/per side) that appear in, literally, all previous ASN UAV models: ASN-205, ASN-206, ASN-207 & ASN-209

7/16
The landing sleds are relatively similar, although slightly different. The main difference is that a small device connected with a wire has been added to the system. In these two images, the difference with previous models can be seen (including the device detail)

8/16
Nose antenna is slightly larger than all in previous models.
Also, the front upper head antenna is not like in previous models. I have only found a similar antenna as an add-on to a pod in a video of August '21(2nd tweet in this 🧵), in “02-10” UAV, also with a female team)

9/16
Among other interesting things that we can see in this video, the pusher propellant system and the protective sleeve is mounted in front of the camera by the team and installed on the UAV

10/16
There are also other elements to observe here. The take-off platform has changed from previous models. This one seems slightly bigger, but more robust. But the most interesting things come next

11/16
Also the belly protection latch has disappeared; it is just an open hole on the belly. Previous models had a latch that could be open before taking off. This one does not. The full ball sensor is within the frame

12/16
There are two things very interesting in this video. First, in case you missed it, none of the ASN-family drones have winglets… this one DOES! The wing fixing system to the body seems a bit more refined than previous versions and are actully an add-on

13/16
Their patches clearly show they belong to the PLA Ground Forces, nothing out of normality. The sensors or antennas do not seem abnormal, given what we can normally see in the PLAGFs

14/16
Second thing: If you pay attention when watching the video, all of the video shots avoid the left hand side of the drone (from the back). When seen, there is nothing there… But is this the case? No! The ID UAV code is there, and has been deleted premeditatedly

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The only sequence where the ID Code can be seen is when the UAV takes off, in movement and far away… I am trying to increase video quality to see it clearly, but I think it says something like “E75 0001” o “E75 0034”? I am not sure

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There are enough modifications to affirm that this is either an experimental ASN-family UAV based on previous models or an improved test bed platform.
Thanks for your interest in my thread & please: like, share and follow ;)

👆THREAD
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