China has unveiled its new long-range TM-300 strike drone for the first time. It is reported that mass production has already begun.
This new drone is extremely dangerous. It has a 100-kg payload, a maximum range of 1,200 km, two jet engines, and a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 (about 2,200 km/h).
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In other words, it can carry a heavy warhead over a considerable range of 1,200 km at supersonic speeds of up to 2,200 km/h. Furthermore, what makes it even more dangerous is its design, which incorporates stealth technology, making it much more difficult to detect.
It is unlikely that it will be able to maintain such a high speed throughout the entire flight, especially at low altitude. But even so, it remains supersonic, and intercepting the TM-300 will only be possible using a full-fledged air defense systems or with the help of fighter jets. It won't be an easy target, as it can fly undetected at low altitudes and at speeds far exceeding those of conventional drones.
It is also worth noting that the TM-300 is being developed and produced in China, a country known for manufacturing weapons in large quantities and at low cost. It is worth recalling China's copy of the Shahed drone, the Feilong-300D, reportedly costing just $10,000, and the YKJ-1000 hypersonic missile, priced at only $99,000.
Although the price is currently unknown, past experience suggests that the TM-300 will also be inexpensive and produced on a massive scale.
This will allow for regular swarm attacks involving hundreds of these drones. Even in the early stages of production, published test videos show a swarm launch of at least seven TM-300 drones.
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