Aisheng ASN-209

Background

The ASN-209 was developed in 2011 by ASN Technology Group. A derivative known as the Silver Eagle (or Silver Hawk) entered service with the Chinese Navy, distinguished by four vertically installed antennas—two atop the fuselage and one near each wingtip. The Silver Eagle made its maiden flight on 1 June 2011 in the coastal region of northeastern China, lasting 3.5 hours. It is launched from a 6×6 truck using rocket-assisted takeoff, with a separate vehicle likely housing the ground control station. Official Chinese sources have only revealed that Silver Eagle is a shore-based naval UAV; unconfirmed postulates suggest it may serve as a communication relay, electronic intelligence platform, or aerial jammer.

The ASN-209 system comprises the aircraft platform, avionics, airborne mission payload, data link, ground control station, and launch and recovery equipment. It uses a digital flight control and navigation system with manual, program, and emergency control modes.

The UAV can be fitted with synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical payloads, and multifunction payloads for civil applications such as forest fire prevention, anti-drug operations, communication, disaster forecasting, ground observation, atmospheric measurement, aerial photography, resource detection, climate observation, and artificial rainmaking. Military configurations support ground moving target indication, electronic intelligence, electronic warfare, ground target designation, and communication relay. The system can operate two UAVs consecutively for 24-hour coverage by switching them at their 10-hour endurance limit.