Harwar's Zhanfu H16-V12 UAV possibly in service with Chinese military

Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer Harwar has released images of its Zhanfu (Tomahawk) H16-V12 multi-rotor, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform being used in what appear to be training exercises with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), suggesting that the UAV is either being trialled by or is already in service with the PLA.

The images show the UAV, which is armed with what appear to be two automatic grenade launchers and an air-to-ground missile, hovering over a PLA Ground Force ZBD-09 self-propelled gun at an undisclosed location.

According to the Shenzhen-based company, the UAV can reach a top speed of 18 m/s, has an endurance of 60 minutes, a flight ceiling of 5,834 m and a flight radius of 14.4 km.

The UAV, which can be guided by satellite positioning systems (Beidou, GPS, GLONASS), has a maximum payload of 25 kg, which can include surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, smoke or tear gas grenades, small diameter bombs, grenades and/or air-to-ground missiles, according to Harwar.