China introduced its latest CSA-003 Scout, an Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) aircraft that can gather and intercept enemy intelligence activity and find vulnerabilities from the sky to initiate cyberattacks. 

Popular Science reported that the 1.7-ton plane is meant for special missions such as "maritime patrol and oil spill response."

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The aircraft, developed by the China Electronic Technology Corporation, can accommodate up to two pilots and one sensor operator. It can also work with satellite links and process ground stations support. Equipped with its very own Digital ELINT system and a signal suite, the plane could detect and collect electronic activities' information including weapons, radar, and surrounding communications.

Such technologies are carried in a pod situated under the sensor payload's fuselage. This allows detection, tracking and analysis of electronic and cyber activities possible.

Rain or shine, the plane is not interrupted by any weather disturbances, the report read, as it is equipped with an electro optical/infrared sensor turret that can detect enemy forces such as infantry.

Scientists based CSA-003's design on the Diamond DA42, an Austrian utility plane that has twin turbopop engines.

The latest aircraft will join the family of China's ELINT platform including the medium Y-9 aircraft. Its counterparts include the US Army's RC-12 Huron, used to collect battlefield intelligence on counterinsurgency environment.

China's military claimed to counter US military cyber forces by creating a new People's Liberation Army cyber force, according to Colonel Li, the deputy director of the National Defense University's Center for Cyberspace Security.

Li said that the precaution was necessary as Pentagon itself is also enhancing its cyberattack capabilities.

Tagsspy plane, scout plane, CSA-003, Diamond D42, ELINT platform, Cyberattack