Chinese aerospace company ALIT has unveiled a new version of its FH901 loitering weapon at the Thailand Defense and Security 2022 exhibition. First introduced at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2021, the FH901 is a canister-launched loitering munition with a larger, heavier warhead in this latest iteration on display at D&S2022.
The FH901 weighs 9 kg and carries a 3.5 kg warhead. It is designed for precision strikes with a maximum range of 15 km, aided by its electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) reconnaissance payload for targeting. The weapon is capable of loitering at an altitude of 100 to 150 meters above ground for over 60 minutes, with a cruising speed of 100 km/h. Upon launch, it can accelerate to 180 km/h, and when attacking, the weapon dives toward its target, reaching a terminal velocity of 288 km/h. Its high accuracy allows it to strike within a 2-meter radius, thanks to its electro-optical guidance system.
ALIT also showcased the FH901A, a lighter version of the weapon, weighing just 3.5 kg with a 0.5 kg warhead. Both versions are designed to be launched from canisters, addressing the needs of counterinsurgency and special operations missions.
While the FH901 is being presented as a solution for specialized operations, its potential use in swarm attacks is evident. In 2020, Chinese defense contractor CETIC released a video showing a pneumatic swarm launcher capable of deploying 48 drones, alongside the Feihong 97 stealth drone. This highlights China’s broader strategy of utilizing loitering weapons in coordinated swarm attacks, similar to the designs of other advanced systems, including the U.S.-based Aerovironment Switchblade 600 and Raytheon’s Coyote drone swarm launcher.
At D&S2022, the FH901 demonstrates China’s growing capabilities in loitering munitions and unmanned aerial systems, signaling a shift toward more complex and powerful drone warfare strategies.
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