The design is a knock-off on the Austrian utility plane Diamond DA42 (Above)
Elint can be fitted with sensor wingpods to track enemies
CSA-003 'Scout' has digital Elint to detect enemy electronic, Cyber Activity
This craft is built based on the design of Austrian plane, Diamond DA42
The craft weights 1.7 tonnes and has sensors in a pod under the fuselage
China’s newest spy plane is suited up for the cyber-battlefield. The CSA-003 ‘Scout’ built by the China Electronic Technology Corporation’s Avionics division can collect enemy intelligence and locate vulnerabilities from the sky to facilitate cyber-attacks.
The Routine Chinese Knock-Off CSA-003
The 1.7 ton plane is equipped with sensors in a pod on its underside, and is among ‘special mission aircraft,’ for maritime and border patrol, and oil spill response.
Revealed by a Popular Science blog, the CSA-003 is an Electronic Intelligence (Elint) aircraft, so it can use electronics to gather intelligence on enemy activity. It is manned by 1-2 pilots and one sensor operator.Digital Elint and signals processing suite are used to collect intelligence on the battlefield, including data on electronic activities surrounding communications, weapons, and radar. These technologies are carried in a pod under the fuselage in the sensor payload, PopSci explains, enabling the craft to detect, track, and analyse electronic and cyber activity.
The CSA-003 can work with satellite links and processing support from ground stations.
This creates a larger network of ‘attack assets.’
It can also feature electro optical/infrared sensor turret to detect enemy forces in any weather conditions.
According to PopSci, its Austrian-inspired design suggests the craft may initially be used for missions like border patrol.
Cyber warfare isn't the only battlefront China has been prepping for in recent months.
China's military is set to create a new 'Space Force' to strengthen its presence in low-Earth orbit, it was revealed early this year.
While there has been no official announcement, Washington Times sources claim the Space Force will be created within the People's Liberation Army.
It will include nuclear missiles, electronic data forces, cyber threat units and signals intelligence.
According to an in-depth report by the Washington Times, the move signals an increasing readiness by China for space warfare.
Chinese news outlet Bowen Press said earlier this month that the Space Support Forces will include three branches - strategic missiles, electronic warfare and space forces.
Recently, China conducted its sixth test of a hypersonic strike vehicle as well as a series of anti-satellite missile trials.
