China has unveiled an unmanned fighter jet named "Dark Sword" that could fly at supersonic speeds and prove a 'nightmare' for US defence systems.
Dark Sword represents a very different design philosophy than US unmanned combat plans, and could give China a huge advantage if its military is able to mass-produce the aircraft, as it could rapidly expand its fighter fleet without training new pilots: In words of Justin Bronk, expert at the Royal United Services Institute "If produced in large numbers without having to train pilots, could at the very least soak up missiles from US fighters, and at the very best be an effective fighter by itself.''
Much about Dark Sword remains a mystery, but experts believe it is capable of flying like a fighter jet. This hints China is building the aircraft for use as a combat jet rather than a reconnaissance or precision missile strike vehicle, like the unmanned MQ-1 Predator drone used by US forces.