BEIJING, January 3 -- China’s enormous Divine Eagle UAV is larger than the U.S. Air Force’s Global Hawk, recently released satellite imagery suggests. While China’s UAVs are getting better, if not bigger, little is known about one of its latest models. Photos of China’s mysterious UAV appeared in May and June while a concept of operations along with payload specs was released earlier in February. The Divine Eagle (or Shen Diao) is built by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s601 Institute and will operate as a high altitude long endurance surveillance drone helping defend China’s airspace against would-be adversaries. China’s concept of operations suggests the drone will provide early warning against enemy aircraft and support the battle management mission directing friendly targeting of enemy carrier groups. A recent space snapshot acquired by DigitalGlobe shows the twin-fuselage, single-engine drone parked on the south end of Shenyang’s runway, possibly indicative of pre-post flight activity. Although, the activity could also suggest taxi trials, it was rumored that the aircraft’s first test flight occurred sometime in December, according to Chinese internet sources. Imagery also confirmed details about the drone’s specific characteristics. Measurements taken in Google Earth would indicate a wingspan and length of approximately 40 and 15 meters, respectively. With its large size and aft-mounted high aspect ratio wings, it’s suspected to have a take off weight over 15 tons, which would be larger than the Global Hawk, just over 14.5 tons.
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