Drones

Chinese helicopter drones capable of intelligent swarm attacks

China's domestically developed helicopter drones carrying proximity explosive mortar shells, grenade launchers and machine guns can now form swarms and engage in coordinated strikes.

The intelligent swarming attack technology enables as many as 10 unmanned helicopter drones to autonomously form up into a swarm, reads a statement Guangdong-based Zhuhai Ziyan UAV company, the developer of the technology, sent to the Global Times on Thursday.

With a single push of a button, the drones can autonomously take off, avoiding colliding in the air and find their way to their designated target. Once they receive an order to attack, they will engage the target autonomously in a coordinate manner.

Upon finishing a mission, the system will lead the drones back to base and land automatically, the statement said.

The operator does not need to expose himself or herself in a dangerous frontline as the drones can easily be controlled remotely, the company said.

The 10 drones can be a combination of different types, including those that can drop proximity explosive mortar shells, while others can carry grenade launchers, or make suicide attacks, Liu Liyuan, a spokesperson of the company, told the Global Times.