AR-2000
| AR-2000 | |
|---|---|
 AR-2000 at 2025 China Victory Parade | |
| General information | |
| Type | Unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
| National origin | People's Republic of China |
| Manufacturer | Aviation Industry Corporation of China |
| Status | In Service |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army Navy |
| History | |
| First flight | 2023 |
The AR-2000 (Chinese: 旋戈-2000; pinyin: Xuán gē-liǎng qiān)[1] is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed in the People's Republic of China for the People's Liberation Army. Designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strike missions, the AR-2000 can be operated by multiple service branches, including the PLA Ground Force, Navy, and Air Force.
History and development
[edit]
AR-2000 was the second unmanned rotary-wing vehicle developed by China,[2] after the smaller AR-500W (export designation U8EW), which was revealed at the 2018 Singapore Airshow and took maiden flight in May 2020.[3][4] The AR-2000 is an enlarged AR-500 with better capabilities and optimization for shipborne operations. The aircraft took its maiden flight in early 2023.[2] The AR-2000 was debuted on the Dubai Airshow 2023, with the vendor China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) confirming the PLA has already procured the aircraft.[5]
The PLA service version of the AR-2000 was showcased on the 2025 China Victory Day Parade.[6] It entered service with PLA Navy in 2025 and was deployed on the Type 075 amphibious assault ship.[7] The operation role of the AR-2000 is likely reconnaissance, surveillance, strike, and anti-submarine missions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.[8]
Design
[edit]The size of AR-2000 is slightly smaller than that of Harbin Z-20, with a weight of 4,400 lb (2,000 kg).[9] The helicopter is powered by a turboshaft engine with four folding rotor blades. It is equipped with a chin-mounted turret housing electro‑optical/infrared sensors, multiple radar systems embedded in the fuselage, and hardpoints for mounting pylons. Two satcom antennas, one on the nose and one on the tailboom, are visible. Antennae for tactical data links and other communications systems are also visible around the aircraft. The aircraft can also carry PL-9 short-range air-to-air missiles (AAM), anti-tank missiles, and anti-ship weaponry.[2]
See also
[edit]Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Operators
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "不用加长飞行甲板了！大阅兵一款冷门装备或解决63艘驱护舰大问题". Sohu. 3 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Norris, Guy (14 November 2023). "CATIC Unveils Large, Rotary-Wing AR-2000 UAS". Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023.
- ^ "China's AVIC expands AV500 VTOL UAV family with new high-altitude model". Janes. 26 May 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2024.
- ^ Donald, David (19 November 2019). "China Shows Armed Rotary-wing UAS". AIN Online.
- ^ Neumann, Norbert (16 November 2023). "Dubai Airshow 2023: Chinese AR-2000 large ship-borne UAV makes debut". Shephard Media.
- ^ Malyasov, Dylan (3 September 2025). "China shows naval unmanned helicopters". Defence Blog.
- ^ Kadidal, Akhil (16 March 2026). "Unmanned helicopter appears on China's Type 075 ship". Janes.
- ^ Honrada, Gabriel (17 March 2026). "China's AR-2000 helicopter drone hints at new naval playbook". Asia Times.
- ^ Sinha, Sujita (16 March 2026). "China's new drone helicopter seen operating from Type 075 amphibious warship". Interesting Engineering.