Ball-shaped Recon Drone Makes Debut in China-Nepal Joint Military Exercise

A new ball-shaped reconnaissance drone made its first appearance during the China-Nepal joint military exercise that kicked off on September 22, 2024. The drill, dubbed Sagarmatha Friendship-2024, is taking place at a training base in Chongqing, Southwest China.

According to a report from the Global Times, the exercise focuses on joint anti-terrorism operations in urban environments and will run until October 1.

New Drone Technology Unveiled

Among the equipment displayed by the Chinese side, the ball-shaped reconnaissance drone attracted particular attention. China Central Television (CCTV) showed footage of the drone, describing it as:

• Equipped with a camera and sensors
• Small enough to be held in one hand
• Capable of moving through urban areas by rolling on the ground
• Designed to operate with minimal noise to avoid detection

A Beijing-based military expert, speaking anonymously to the Global Times, highlighted the drone’s potential advantages:

“The mini ball-shaped drone can move through urban areas by rolling on the ground with little noise and avoid hostile detections,” the expert said. They added that while likely low-cost, the drone “can significantly reduce the risk of personnel exposure under dangerous environments.”

Note: We have not yet been able to find a photo or video of said ball-shaped drone unfortunately.

Exercise Details

The Sagarmatha Friendship-2024 joint drill includes:

• Light arms shooting
• Anti-terrorism group tactics
• Drone operations
• Emergency rescues
• A comprehensive anti-terrorism exercise

The exercise aims to boost capabilities in multidimensional search, mobile infiltration, and armed rescue in joint operations.

In addition to anti-terrorism activities, the two militaries will conduct exchanges on disaster relief operations, focusing on scenarios like earthquakes, snow damage, and debris flow.

DroneXL’s Take

The debut of this innovative ball-shaped drone in a joint military exercise showcases China’s ongoing advancements in Drone Technology for tactical urban operations. This development aligns with recent trends we’ve seen in AI-powered drones for reconnaissance and surveillance.

Interestingly, the concept of a ball-shaped device for urban operations isn’t entirely new. It bears some resemblance to the BRINC Ball, a ruggedized communication device shaped like a softball. While the Brinc Ball isn’t technically a drone – it’s designed as a modern throw phone for crisis negotiation – it shares the ball-shaped form factor that allows it to be rolled or thrown into hard-to-reach areas.

China’s ball-shaped drone appears to take this concept a step further by incorporating flight capabilities. This could potentially offer even greater flexibility in navigating complex urban environments. The drone’s ability to move stealthily through such spaces could prove invaluable in anti-terrorism and search-and-rescue operations, potentially saving lives by reducing human exposure in dangerous situations.

As drone technology continues to evolve, we’re likely to see more specialized designs like this, tailored for specific operational needs. The ball shape seems to be emerging as a versatile form factor for devices intended to operate in challenging urban settings.

What do you think about the potential impact of this new ball-shaped drone? How do you see it comparing to other tactical devices like the BRINC Ball? Share your thoughts in the comments below.