Is China's new decoy a decoy?

China's AVIC exhibited a new toy at Zhuhai air show called the TL-8 decoy. The placard on the exhibit booth ominously describes this winged missile body as a "multifunctional medium-sized drone". By using the loaded term "multifunctional", it is possible AVIC merely was describing the airframe's ability as a decoy missile to simulate both aircraft and cruise missiles. Of course, if the TL-8 can simulate other cruise missiles, it can also become a cruise missile. Perhaps even the TL-8's decoy title is itself a decoy?

Another interesting factor to consider is the TL-8's design, which strongly resembles the Northrop Grumman BQM-74 Chukar III target drone. Israel adapted Chukar into the Delilah drone/cruise missile (see Israel air force history on Delilah here). In 1995, Flight International reported that Israel's TAAS sold the Delilah technology to China. I asked the author of that story, Douglas Barrie, who is now an analyst for the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), if he thinks there may be a connection. But Barrie was dubious that Israel would provide China with Delilah's design secrets for any price. However, Barrie was impressed with AVIC's performance claims for the TL-8.

"Quite high speed, bigger and heavier than Delilah also," Barrie wrote in an email. The TL-8 "would make a useful platform for uses other than that of a drone!  If the range figure is credible it would suggest a decent engine with reasonable fuel consumption."

Specs	TL-8	Chukar III	Delilah
Speed	M0.85	M0.81	M0.85
Range	500km	650km	250km+
Maximum takeoff weight	250kg	206kg	250kg
Length	3.77m	4m	3.3m
Wingspan	1.76m	1.9m	1.2m