Chinese Drone’s First Flight Sparks Widespread Speculation

As part of its announcement, the China Daily newspaper proclaimed that “The successful flight shows the nation has again narrowed the air-power disparity between itself and Western nations.”

While there has been speculation among military analysts about the origins of the Sharp Sword’s design, most experts agree that Lijian is either a reverse-engineered model of the US’s X-47B or Russia’s (now mothballed) Mikoyan Skat.

Beyond the Lijian’s airframe, little is known about the craft’s abilities. A fact that has prompted much doubt about how close the Sharp Sword is to combat readiness. Apart from its visible airframe, a state of the art drone requires advanced robotic flight controls; secure and robust uplink capabilities; and a series of other sophisticated features.

Regardless of whether China has reverse engineered a Russian or American craft, many still believe that Chinese engineers have a long way to go before their advanced drone enters a mature, combat ready state.

The announcement of the Lijian has also inspired a sharp focus on the trouble with reverse engineering complex systems. Regardless of how thorough a reverse-engineering project is, it doesn’t provide a company or country the manufacturing methods or infrastructure or necessary for efficient production.

So even though imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, it’s a terrible drain on innovation.  The best engineering firms break new ground; they don’t retrace an already beaten path.

Images & Video Courtesy of lt.cjdby.net & JDUS2020