North Korea's new drones maintain uncanny likeness to top American models

These photos and videos appear to be taken during an under-publicized inspection of "North Korea's most advanced drones". It wasn't just experts who noticed that the showcased designs, namely Saetbyol-4 and Saetbyol-9, bear a noticeable resemblance to reputable American unmanned aircraft, such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper drones.

While the external resemblance of the drones is unmistakable, the condition of their onboard equipment and capabilities is far less discernable. The isolated nation often relies on outdated components and technologies, a stark contrast to Western systems.

A short video is alleged to show that the Saetbyol-4 and Saetbyol-9 are operational drones, not just mere scaling models. However, many are skeptical and claim that the footage just shows their ability to lift off and record footage, leaving much to speculation about how well these newfangled drones truly measure up to their American counterparts.

The jet-propelled Saetbyol-4 is touted as a "reconnaissance drone", a descriptor that aligns with the characteristics of the RQ-4 Global Hawk. The American drone is engineered to perform aerial reconnaissance non-stop for up to 24 hours, reaching speeds up to 403 mph and an altitude of 12.4 miles.

On the other hand, Saetbyol-9 is introduced by North Korean designers as a "multitasking assault drone", likely powered by a propeller. This description rings true for its American equivalent, the MQ-9 Reaper. The MQ-9 Reaper, powered by a Honeywell TP-331-10T turboprop engine producing over 900 HP, can achieve speeds up to 298 mph and can operate at heights of up to 9.3 miles. Also, it has seven built-in pylons to carry equipment or weapons, all with a market value shooting into tens of millions of dollars.