The Chinese military has claimed that it has the capability to impose and maintain a blockade on an island, solely using drones. The claim has been made in a peer-reviewed paper in the&nbsp;Chinese academic journal Command Control &amp; Simulation, published last month.&nbsp;

According to Chen Huijie, an engineer with the&nbsp;92116 unit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the project lead of the research, a simulation was run over an unnamed island with a narrow shape similar to Taiwan's terrain.

The objective of the mission was to form a blockade and control the island which had been&nbsp;fortified with a large number of air defence missile launchers, while hostile warships and submarines prowled the surrounding waters.

For the blockade, the PLA used four types of drones. The first batch of large and medium-sized drones with&nbsp;reconnaissance-and-attack capabilities were launched from mainland Chinese military bases. Their objective was to operate in all-weathers, detect and identify the mobile threats while eliminating them.&nbsp;

The second batch of small composite-wing&nbsp;reconnaissance drones and&nbsp;anti-radiation patrol drones were deployed by the PLA naval vessels. Their duty was to conduct close observation of concealed targets and eliminate enemy radars.&nbsp;

Citing the benefit of using the drones, Chen's team wrote,&nbsp;"Unmanned equipment offers advantages including expendability, low cost and minimal casualties. Integrating unmanned clusters into a systematic war is anticipated to speed up the reconnaissance, identification, decision-making and attack cycles, consequently boosting overall combat efficacy.”

The report added that once the "scale and diversity of drone formations" reached a certain threshold, the military could effectively control the island and its surrounding waters by suppressing the island's armed forces whilst simultaneously thwarting external aid.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;US-China war over Taiwan? Xi Jinping demands 'modern system for military governance' | Details

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" data-gtm-yt-inspected-19="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-china-war-over-taiwan-xi-jinping-demands-modern-system-for-military-governance-details-623039/embed" width="560"></iframe>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwans-carrier-killers-look-all-set-to-give-pla-vessels-a-bloody-nose-736842">Also read |&nbsp;Taiwan’s ‘carrier killers’ look all set to give PLA vessels a bloody nose</a>

The release of the paper comes in the backdrop of the US military last month revealing its modus operandi of using swarms of drones in the Taiwan Strait in the case of a potential conflict. The strategy dubbed "Hellscape" is intended to stop the PLA troops from landing on Taiwanese land without having to put US soldiers on the forward line.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I want to turn the Taiwan Strait into an unmanned hellscape,” Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, told The Washington Post in an interview published on June 10.

China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and under its top leader Xi Jinping, it has not renounced the use of force to bring the island under control.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Chinese military has claimed that it has the capability to impose and maintain a blockade on an island, solely using drones. The claim has been made in a peer-reviewed paper in the Chinese academic journal Command Control & Simulation, published last month.

The Chinese military has claimed that it has the capability to impose and maintain a blockade on an island, solely using drones. The claim has been made in a peer-reviewed paper in the Chinese academic journal Command Control & Simulation, published last month. According to Chen Huijie, an engineer with the 92116 unit of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the project lead of the research, a simulation was run over an unnamed island with a narrow shape similar to Taiwan's terrain. The objective of the mission was to form a blockade and control the island which had been fortified with a large number of air defence missile launchers, while hostile warships and submarines prowled the surrounding waters. For the blockade, the PLA used four types of drones. The first batch of large and medium-sized drones with reconnaissance-and-attack capabilities were launched from mainland Chinese military bases. Their objective was to operate in all-weathers, detect and identify the mobile threats while eliminating them. The second batch of small composite-wing reconnaissance drones and anti-radiation patrol drones were deployed by the PLA naval vessels. Their duty was to conduct close observation of concealed targets and eliminate enemy radars. Citing the benefit of using the drones, Chen's team wrote, "Unmanned equipment offers advantages including expendability, low cost and minimal casualties. Integrating unmanned clusters into a systematic war is anticipated to speed up the reconnaissance, identification, decision-making and attack cycles, consequently boosting overall combat efficacy.” The report added that once the "scale and diversity of drone formations" reached a certain threshold, the military could effectively control the island and its surrounding waters by suppressing the island's armed forces whilst simultaneously thwarting external aid. Also watch | US-China war over Taiwan? Xi Jinping demands 'modern system for military governance' | Details Also read | Taiwan’s ‘carrier killers’ look all set to give PLA vessels a bloody nose The release of the paper comes in the backdrop of the US military last month revealing its modus operandi of using swarms of drones in the Taiwan Strait in the case of a potential conflict. The strategy dubbed "Hellscape" is intended to stop the PLA troops from landing on Taiwanese land without having to put US soldiers on the forward line. “I want to turn the Taiwan Strait into an unmanned hellscape,” Admiral Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, told The Washington Post in an interview published on June 10. China claims self-ruled democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and under its top leader Xi Jinping, it has not renounced the use of force to bring the island under control. (With inputs from agencies)

China plans to use drones to blockade Taiwan after US unveils 'Hellscape' strategy

Securing the country's skies further, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday (August 13) inducted four strike-capable&nbsp;Heron Mark 2 drones at a forward air base in the northern sector. The state-of-the-art drones are fitted with long-range missiles and a sophisticated weapons system, giving the forces an unparalleled advantage of striking at the enemy from afar.&nbsp;

The drone has the strike and reconnaissance capability, rolled into one which allows&nbsp;it to monitor any situation along the border with both China and Pakistan in a single sortie. Reports stated that the drone's satellite link gives it the ability to operate 45 hours on a stretch.&nbsp;

According to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) which manufactures the drone, Heron Mark 2&nbsp;"has a wider and stronger body structure" due to an improved manufacturing process, "allowing for quick and easy maintenance without adding to its weight".

"The drone simply amalgamates into the Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance matrix of the Indian Air Force," said&nbsp;Wing Commander Pankaj Rana, the commanding officer of the drone squadron which is named "Warden of the North".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-new-strike-capable-drones-capable-of-long-range-surveillance-624979">Watch |&nbsp;India: New strike-capable drones, capable of long-range surveillance</a>

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<h2>A message to enemies&nbsp;</h2>

The induction of the drones is an attempt to send a stern warning to India's enemies that the country has&nbsp;ushered in a new era of surveillance and strike capability, experts said.&nbsp;

During an operation, the drone illuminates a potential target using a laser from long range which enables fighter jets to destroy them using pinpoint precision.&nbsp;Most importantly, the Heron Mark&nbsp;2 drone can operate in any weather and on any terrain, granting forces the capability to strike in extreme conditions.

"The payloads and the onboard avionics of the Heron Mark 2 can operate at sub-zero temperatures and in any weather condition. This is helping the Indian Air Force achieve footprints over any type of terrain," Squadron Leader Arpit Tandon, a pilot of the Heron Mark 2 drone was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-prohibits-military-drone-makers-from-using-chinese-parts-claims-reuters-report-623346">Also read |&nbsp;India prohibits military drone makers from using Chinese parts, claims Reuters report</a>

Currently, the IAF&nbsp;is working on Project Cheetah, under which 70 Heron drones are being upgraded with&nbsp;satellite communication links and weapons to meet the armed forces' requirements. Apart from the Mark 2 drones, the authorities are also acquiring&nbsp;&nbsp;31 Predator drones, which are in the high-altitude, long-endurance category.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Securing the country's skies further, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday (August 13) inducted four strike-capable Heron Mark 2 drones at a forward air base in the northern sector.

Securing the country's skies further, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Sunday (August 13) inducted four strike-capable Heron Mark 2 drones at a forward air base in the northern sector. The state-of-the-art drones are fitted with long-range missiles and a sophisticated weapons system, giving the forces an unparalleled advantage of striking at the enemy from afar. The drone has the strike and reconnaissance capability, rolled into one which allows it to monitor any situation along the border with both China and Pakistan in a single sortie. Reports stated that the drone's satellite link gives it the ability to operate 45 hours on a stretch. According to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) which manufactures the drone, Heron Mark 2 "has a wider and stronger body structure" due to an improved manufacturing process, "allowing for quick and easy maintenance without adding to its weight". "The drone simply amalgamates into the Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance matrix of the Indian Air Force," said Wing Commander Pankaj Rana, the commanding officer of the drone squadron which is named "Warden of the North". Watch | India: New strike-capable drones, capable of long-range surveillance × A message to enemies The induction of the drones is an attempt to send a stern warning to India's enemies that the country has ushered in a new era of surveillance and strike capability, experts said. During an operation, the drone illuminates a potential target using a laser from long range which enables fighter jets to destroy them using pinpoint precision. Most importantly, the Heron Mark 2 drone can operate in any weather and on any terrain, granting forces the capability to strike in extreme conditions. "The payloads and the onboard avionics of the Heron Mark 2 can operate at sub-zero temperatures and in any weather condition. This is helping the Indian Air Force achieve footprints over any type of terrain," Squadron Leader Arpit Tandon, a pilot of the Heron Mark 2 drone was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Also read | India prohibits military drone makers from using Chinese parts, claims Reuters report Currently, the IAF is working on Project Cheetah, under which 70 Heron drones are being upgraded with satellite communication links and weapons to meet the armed forces' requirements. Apart from the Mark 2 drones, the authorities are also acquiring 31 Predator drones, which are in the high-altitude, long-endurance category. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India secures its skies further as IAF inducts strike-capable drones

Britain called in the army Thursday after dozens of drone sightings grounded all flights from London's Gatwick airport&nbsp;for more than 24 hours, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded on one of the busiest days of the year.

The airport, which closed its only runway Wednesday night after "reports of two drones flying in and around the airfield", said late Thursday it could not be reopened following further appearances of the devices.

"Gatwick's runway remains unavailable because of continued drone sightings," it said in an 11:00 pm (2300 GMT) update.

Police and airport authorities believe they were being flown in a deliberate act to disrupt the airport.

The unusually large drones had been spotted near the airfield more than 50 times over the 24-hour period, police said Thursday night.&nbsp;

"We think it&nbsp;may&nbsp;have been adapted and developed," said Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley of the devices, adding officers were reviewing CCTV footage to identify the make and model.

He said firearms officers were now considering shooting the device down despite authorities earlier saying that would be dangerous due to the danger of stray bullets.

The runway closure stranded tens of thousands of travellers days before Christmas and prompted the unusual military operation.

Specialist equipment has been deployed by the MOD (Ministry of Defence) to Gatwick airport to assist Sussex Police.

"We are there to assist and do everything we can," Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told Sky News television, declining to give the troops' exact role and adding that it followed a request from local police.

Gisele Fenech, 43, who was travelling to Malta, was among those stranded at the airport.

"We're meeting family and it's my daughter's birthday today so it's gone all wrong. We've been looking forward to this for so long," she told AFP.

"Everyone's trying to get home for Christmas."

'It's childish'&nbsp;

Gatwick, around 30 miles (50 kilometres) south of the British capital, is the eighth-busiest airport in Europe and sits behind Mumbai as the world's busiest single-runway air hub.

Inbound flights were diverted to other airports, including Paris, while passengers waiting to take off faced gruelling delays as airlines cut services.

Easyjet, Gatwick's biggest operator, said it had cancelled all its flights in and out of the hub Thursday.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said overnight restrictions would be lifted at some airports to help ease the situation.

Some 10,000 passengers were affected on Wednesday night and a further 110,000 who had been due to either take off or land at the airport on 760 flights Thursday.

Gatwick said it anticipated disruption to continue into Friday.

Musab Rashid, 22, who was going to Copenhagen, said: "It's wrong, it's childish of them to do this because it's affected more than 100,000 people."

'Highly targeted activity'&nbsp;

Two drones were first spotted flying over Gatwick at around 9:00 pm (2100 GMT) on Wednesday. The airfield briefly reopened at 3:00 am on Thursday but had to be closed again following further sightings through the day.

Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said the incident was "a highly targeted activity which has been designed to close the airport and bring maximum disruption in the run-up to Christmas".

"We are working very closely with the police and the security services to try to resolve this&nbsp;for passengers," he said, adding "as soon as we can we will" reopen the runway.&nbsp;

A cat-and-mouse manhunt is underway to catch those operating the drones, with more than 20 police units and dozens of officers from two local forces deployed.

Police superintendent Justin Burtenshaw said: "We believe this to be a deliberate act to disrupt the airport. However, there are absolutely no indications to suggest this is terror-related."

He added: "Each time we believe we get close to the operator, the drone disappears; when we look to reopen the airfield, the drone reappears."

British Prime Minister said she sympathised with passengers and vowed action.

"We will continue to work with the Gatwick authorities and police will be working... in order to bring this to a close," she said at a press conference in London.

Under a new British law, drones cannot be flown near aircraft or within a kilometre of an airport, or at an altitude of over 400 feet (122 metres).&nbsp;

May&nbsp;warned the perpetrators they could face up to five years in prison for endangering an aircraft under recently passed legislation.

"We're consulting on further aspects of this including further police powers," she added.

Gatwick serves more than 228 destinations in 74 countries for 45 million passengers a year.

Britain called in the army Thursday after dozens of drone sightings grounded all flights from London's Gatwick airport for more than 24 hours, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded on one of the busiest days of the year.

Britain called in the army Thursday after dozens of drone sightings grounded all flights from London's Gatwick airport for more than 24 hours, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded on one of the busiest days of the year. The airport, which closed its only runway Wednesday night after "reports of two drones flying in and around the airfield", said late Thursday it could not be reopened following further appearances of the devices. "Gatwick's runway remains unavailable because of continued drone sightings," it said in an 11:00 pm (2300 GMT) update. Police and airport authorities believe they were being flown in a deliberate act to disrupt the airport. The unusually large drones had been spotted near the airfield more than 50 times over the 24-hour period, police said Thursday night. "We think it may have been adapted and developed," said Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley of the devices, adding officers were reviewing CCTV footage to identify the make and model. He said firearms officers were now considering shooting the device down despite authorities earlier saying that would be dangerous due to the danger of stray bullets. The runway closure stranded tens of thousands of travellers days before Christmas and prompted the unusual military operation. Specialist equipment has been deployed by the MOD (Ministry of Defence) to Gatwick airport to assist Sussex Police. "We are there to assist and do everything we can," Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told Sky News television, declining to give the troops' exact role and adding that it followed a request from local police. Gisele Fenech, 43, who was travelling to Malta, was among those stranded at the airport. "We're meeting family and it's my daughter's birthday today so it's gone all wrong. We've been looking forward to this for so long," she told AFP. "Everyone's trying to get home for Christmas." 'It's childish' Gatwick, around 30 miles (50 kilometres) south of the British capital, is the eighth-busiest airport in Europe and sits behind Mumbai as the world's busiest single-runway air hub. Inbound flights were diverted to other airports, including Paris, while passengers waiting to take off faced gruelling delays as airlines cut services. Easyjet, Gatwick's biggest operator, said it had cancelled all its flights in and out of the hub Thursday. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said overnight restrictions would be lifted at some airports to help ease the situation. Some 10,000 passengers were affected on Wednesday night and a further 110,000 who had been due to either take off or land at the airport on 760 flights Thursday. Gatwick said it anticipated disruption to continue into Friday. Musab Rashid, 22, who was going to Copenhagen, said: "It's wrong, it's childish of them to do this because it's affected more than 100,000 people." 'Highly targeted activity' Two drones were first spotted flying over Gatwick at around 9:00 pm (2100 GMT) on Wednesday. The airfield briefly reopened at 3:00 am on Thursday but had to be closed again following further sightings through the day. Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said the incident was "a highly targeted activity which has been designed to close the airport and bring maximum disruption in the run-up to Christmas". "We are working very closely with the police and the security services to try to resolve this for passengers," he said, adding "as soon as we can we will" reopen the runway. A cat-and-mouse manhunt is underway to catch those operating the drones, with more than 20 police units and dozens of officers from two local forces deployed. Police superintendent Justin Burtenshaw said: "We believe this to be a deliberate act to disrupt the airport. However, there are absolutely no indications to suggest this is terror-related." He added: "Each time we believe we get close to the operator, the drone disappears; when we look to reopen the airfield, the drone reappears." British Prime Minister said she sympathised with passengers and vowed action. "We will continue to work with the Gatwick authorities and police will be working... in order to bring this to a close," she said at a press conference in London. Under a new British law, drones cannot be flown near aircraft or within a kilometre of an airport, or at an altitude of over 400 feet (122 metres). May warned the perpetrators they could face up to five years in prison for endangering an aircraft under recently passed legislation. "We're consulting on further aspects of this including further police powers," she added. Gatwick serves more than 228 destinations in 74 countries for 45 million passengers a year.

British army joins drone hunt after Gatwick airport shutdown

British Prime Minister Theresa May said that police powers over the flying of drones could be extended after the <a href="http://13.232.42.114/world/army-joins-drone-hunt-after-london-airport-shutdown-185599">country's second biggest airport was closed</a> due to unknown operators flying the devices within its airspace.

"I feel for all those passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted by this drone activity and the action that's had to be taken in response to it," the British prime minister said, adding,"w've already passed legislation in relation to the use of drones, the activity we've seen is illegal and those who are caught endangering aircraft can face up to five years in prison."

"We're consulting on further aspects of this, including further police powers," May said.

As thousands of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/flights-grounded-at-britains-gatwick-airport-over-drone-sighting-185467">passengers waited at Gatwick Airport</a>, south of London, police hunted unsuccessfully for the operators of the large drones, which reappeared near the airfield every time the airport tried to reopen the runway.

Police said there was no indication of a terrorist motive behind the devices, which first appeared on Wednesday night.&nbsp;Britain sent troops to its second-biggest airport after an unprecedented attempt to cripple Christmas travel with large drones forced all flights to be cancelled on Thursday.

"The assessment earlier on today was that we wouldn't be using firearms," detective chief superintendent Jason Tingley said late on Thursday. "This is continually reviewed so you will know and have seen that we have firearm officers deployed."

Europe's air traffic control agency Eurocontrol said the airport would remain closed until 0600 GMT on Friday.

The armed forces were also deployed to help resolve the situation.

"We are there to assist and do everything we can," defence minister Gavin Williamson told reporters.

Drones were seen as recently as the last hour, a Gatwick spokesman said at about 2200 GMT on Thursday, more than 24 hours after their first sighting.

The airport said flights would remain shut down for the rest of the evening on a day when 115,000 people were scheduled to pass through, many en route to seasonal breaks.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said that police powers over the flying of drones could be extended after the country's second biggest airport was closed due to unknown operators flying the devices within its airspace.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said that police powers over the flying of drones could be extended after the country's second biggest airport was closed due to unknown operators flying the devices within its airspace. "I feel for all those passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted by this drone activity and the action that's had to be taken in response to it," the British prime minister said, adding,"w've already passed legislation in relation to the use of drones, the activity we've seen is illegal and those who are caught endangering aircraft can face up to five years in prison." "We're consulting on further aspects of this, including further police powers," May said. As thousands of passengers waited at Gatwick Airport, south of London, police hunted unsuccessfully for the operators of the large drones, which reappeared near the airfield every time the airport tried to reopen the runway. Police said there was no indication of a terrorist motive behind the devices, which first appeared on Wednesday night. Britain sent troops to its second-biggest airport after an unprecedented attempt to cripple Christmas travel with large drones forced all flights to be cancelled on Thursday. "The assessment earlier on today was that we wouldn't be using firearms," detective chief superintendent Jason Tingley said late on Thursday. "This is continually reviewed so you will know and have seen that we have firearm officers deployed." Europe's air traffic control agency Eurocontrol said the airport would remain closed until 0600 GMT on Friday. The armed forces were also deployed to help resolve the situation. "We are there to assist and do everything we can," defence minister Gavin Williamson told reporters. Drones were seen as recently as the last hour, a Gatwick spokesman said at about 2200 GMT on Thursday, more than 24 hours after their first sighting. The airport said flights would remain shut down for the rest of the evening on a day when 115,000 people were scheduled to pass through, many en route to seasonal breaks.

Watch: Police power may be increased to combat drone activity, says PM Theresa May after Gatwick airport shutdown

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