BUAA Grey Bee
BUAA Grey Bee (Hui-Feng or Huifeng, 灰蜂) is a series of Chinese UAVs developed by Beihang University (BUAA). Grey Bee UAVs are mainly intended for reconnaissance missions, and has since entered service with Chinese military and governmental establishments.
| Grey Bee | |
|---|---|
| Role | UAV |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Beihang University |
| Designer | Beihang University |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | China |
Grey Bee I
Grey Bee I is the first member of Grey Bee series UAV, but it does not see service in any significant quantity because it was soon replaced by its successor Grey Bee II. Grey Bee I was first revealed at the 7th Zhuhai Airshow held in 2008.[1]
Grey Bee II
Grey Bee II is the successor of earlier Grey Bee I, and unlike its predecessor, Grey Bee II did see service in greater numbers. Grey Bee II is in twin boom layout with high wing configuration and propulsion is provided by a three-blade driven pusher engine mounted at the rearend of the fuselage. The UAV is designed to be quickly taken apart and assembled in the field for rapid deployment, which is based on a single Dongfeng Motor truck. The entire system consists of a truck carrying three Grey Bee II UAVs, each carrying a different payload to cover all spectrums. One Grey Bee II carries a color TV camera with a range greater than 6 km and can identify object of 3 meter x 5 meter. The second Grey Bee II carries an infrared (IR) camera with a range of 5 km to identify camouflaged targets with IR signature that cannot be identified by optical camera in the visible light spectrum. The third Grey Bee II on the truck carries a miniature synthetic aperture radar with range greater than 10 km with 1 meter resolution. The entire system can be deployed from traveling configuration to airborne within 30 minutes and from airborne to storage in 20 minutes. Specification:[2]
- Max speed (km/hr): 180
- Cruise speed (km/hr): 100 – 130
- Ceiling (km): 4
- Endurance (hr): 4
- Range (km): 400
- Combat radius (km): 100
- Launch: catapult or taxiing
- Recovery: parachute or taxiing