While most people are aware of the innovate robotics projects the American military is developing, many might not be so up-to-date on what the other side is doing. China certainly has not announced whether their military capabilities meet or exceed that of America’s, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. What they have made public in 2012, is their expanding army of drone robots.
China has consistently used large numbers as a threat, and their drones are not any different. The purpose of these drones is to overwhelm the enemy with sheer numbers. Have you ever seen the sky black out from flying robots? They will be primarily used to guide missile strikes and scout out battlefields. China is reported as having 280 functioning drones – but that number is from 2011. This fleet is one of the largest drone fleets in the world.
These drones are the latest in China’s attempt to break into the global military market. In 2011, they released what could be considered an earlier version of this robot, which was claimed to be used for riots and protests. The new drone is intended for full military use.
If you believe that China is the only nation that has invested time and money into new military technology, you would be wrong. This robotic technology has made its way to over 50 countries, including Iran.
While it is next to impossible to speculate on how Chinese drones are built, their American counterparts incorporate actuators in a big way. Landing gear and wing control are essential parts of any aircraft that employ the use of linear actuators. Landing gear must extend and retract, and aircraft often need larger wingspans at lower speeds to enable flight. Add a weapons system to the rig, and you have more actuators for weapons bay doors. We can assume that the use of actuators is a part of almost any flight-capable drone that is made in the world, regardless of the country that is making it.
The robotic technology that is being developed today by other countries is seen as major threat to the United States. There are claims that even the Hezbollah have their own drones, which they used to fly near an Israeli reactor. Experts believe that the heightened use of drones and their weapons-capabilities will lead to something like a cold war with drones. No, it is not necessarily safer than a cold war with nuclear weapons, because those drones can carry nuclear weapons.
But it is not time to panic. China has no plans to go to war, and we all hope it remains that way. What can never be certain is the difference between the actual military capability of any foreign country and the capability they are allowing the media to see. Military secrets are secrets for a reason, and with the amount of money that China is putting into military robotics, it would not be surprising to see the country match the United States in terms of advancement. To read more articles visit www.progressiveautomations.com

