Nanbin W.60

The Nanbin W.60 is a (HALE),  (UCAV) built by the Nanbin Aircraft Corporation. It made its first flight in 2017 and was introduced in 2021. It is currently in service with the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force. Production began in 2021, and at least 14 have been built to date with more orders underway and more units planned.

Design and development
The design and development of the Nanbin W.60 began in 2014, when the Nanbin Aircraft Corporation was awarded a contract by the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force to develop a. The goal was to create a UAV that could be used for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and combat missions.

The W.60 is based on the company's earlier work with drone and unmanned platforms, but unlike those tiltrotor design the W.60 features a conventional fixed wing layout and several improvements and upgrades. It has a larger wingspan and payload capacity, and is equipped with more advanced sensors and avionics. It also has a more powerful propulsion system, allowing it to reach higher altitudes and fly for longer periods of time.

The first prototype of the W.60 made its maiden flight in 2017, and flight testing continued for several years. The UAV was officially introduced in 2021 and began entering service with the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force that same year. Production is ongoing, with 14 units built as of 2022.

Design
The design of the Nanbin W.60 features a T-tail with twin CAIC C6J-15E non-afterburning turbofans mounted on the rear fuselage close to the aircraft's tail. This configuration allows the UAV to fly at high altitudes and enables it to carry a larger payload.

The W.60 has a wingspan of 29.5 m and a length of 15.9 m. It has a height of 4.2 m and an empty weight of 7,700 kg. The maximum takeoff weight is 20,800 kg, and it has a fuel capacity of 6,500 litres.

The UAV is equipped with a variety of sensors and avionics, including a KONSAI KJL-12 synthetic aperture radar, a NANINCO multi-spectral targeting system, a CAIC CJ-3 tactical data link system, and a CAIC inertial navigation system (INS). It also has an automatic flight control system and an infrared jamming unit, as well as a flare/chaff countermeasure dispensing system.

Kodeshia
The Nanbin W.60 entered operational service with the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force in 2021, after several years of flight testing and development. It has been used primarily for surveillance and intelligence gathering missions, as well as for target acquisition and battle damage assessment.

The W.60 has proven to be a valuable asset for the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force, due to its long-endurance flight capabilities and advanced sensors and avionics. It has been deployed on a number of missions, including monitoring borders, tracking terrorist activities, and providing real-time intelligence to ground forces.

In addition to its surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities, the W.60 is also capable of carrying weapons and conducting combat missions. It can be equipped with a variety of missiles, bombs, and other munitions, allowing it to engage enemy targets with precision.

Future and potential operators
The Nanbin W.60 has attracted interest from a number of potential operators, reportedly including the nations of Qingcheng, HCCK, Hwangchu, and Theyka. These countries are looking to expand their military capabilities and are considering purchasing the W.60 for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and combat missions.

Qingcheng, in particular, has shown a strong interest in the W.60 and is reportedly in advanced negotiations with Nanbin Aircraft Corporation to purchase a number of the UAVs. If a deal is reached, Qingcheng would become the first international operator of the W.60.

HCCK and Hwangchu are also believed to be considering the W.60 for their air forces, and have reportedly conducted evaluations and demonstrations of the UAV. Theyka has also expressed interest in the W.60, but is reportedly in the early stages of evaluating the UAV and has not made a decision yet.

Prototype Models

 * Nanbin W.60YM
 * F = 原型; Yuánxíng ("Prototype"), M = 模型; Móxíng ("Model")
 * Prototype version, two built.

Production Models

 * Nanbin W.60GZ
 * G = 搜救; Gōngjí ("Attack"), Z = 侦察; Zhēnchá ("Reconnaissance")
 * Improved Current production variant with advanced avionics, datalinks, and countermeasures, and strike and combat abilities. Operates as high-altitude long endurance reconnaissance and strike platform for the Imperial Kodeshi Air Force, 12 built with more units planned.

Operators
 Kodeshia
 * Imperial Kodeshi Air Force: has operated W.60s since 2021. The IKAF has 12 W.60GZ in service with more units planned..