Guizhou (AVIC) WZ-2000 (WuZhen-2000 / WZ-9)

Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) [ 2008 ]

The Guizhou WZ-2000 UCAV out of China is a multi-role, armed drone platform.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/22/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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It is only natural that the unarmed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of today become the armed Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAV) of tomorrow. The Guizhou concern of China has developed the latter with its WZ-2000 turbofan-powered model UCAV intended as a high-speed, dedicated attack UAV with surveillance capabilities built in. Development of the aircraft began during 1999 and several mocked up forms followed at the turn of the century, leading to the finalized product of 2002. The WZ-2000 adds a whole new dimension to Chinese air attack capability, a capability currently only seen in first-rate world air forces. Additionally, it threatens the export market on UCAVs currently controlled by a select few - should China choose to offer its UCAV to its multitude of military customers, thusly reducing reliance on nations like the United States and Israel.

At various points during its lengthy development period, the WZ-2000 was known as the "WZ-9" and the "WuZhen-2000". It is commonly accepted that "WZ-2000" stands as its finalized product designation. First flight of a prototype was recorded on December 26th, 2003.

The WZ-2000 features a running length of 7.5 meters with a wingspan of 9.8 meters. Its listed Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) is 3,750lbs while displaying a 175lb payload capacity for stores and mission equipment. Power is from a single WS-11 turbofan engine (essentially the Russian Ivchenko AI-25 series) developing in the range of 3,800lbs thrust and propelling the airframe at speeds of near-500 miles per hour. Its stated range is 1,500 miles with a combat radius of about 500 miles. Operating ceilings can reach up to 59,000 feet while mission endurance is limited, primarily by the thirsty turbofan engine, at just three hours. It is assumed that the aircraft is crewed by a pair of operators from a Ground Control Station (GCS).

As a UCAV, the WZ-2000 supports the carrying of both air-to-surface missiles as well as precision-guided munitions to suit mission requirements.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

2008

Origin

China

Status

ACTIVE
In Limited Service.

Crew

0
UNMANNED

Production

20
UNITS

Guizhou Aviation Industry Corporation (GAIC) / Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) - China

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

China

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.

✓ Special Forces
Serving Special Forces / Special Operations elements and missions.

✓ Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.

Length

24.6 ft
(7.50 m)

Width/Span

32.2 ft
(9.80 m)

Empty Wgt

1,874 lb
(850 kg)

MTOW

3,748 lb
(1,700 kg)

Wgt Diff

+1,874 lb
(+850 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the Guizhou WZ-2000 (WuZhen-2000 / WZ-9) production variant)

Installed: 1 x WS-11 turbofan engine developing 3,800 lb of thrust.

Max Speed

497 mph
(800 kph | 432 kts)

Ceiling

59,055 ft
(18,000 m | 11 mi)

Range

1,491 mi
(2,400 km | 4,445 nm)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Guizhou WZ-2000 (WuZhen-2000 / WZ-9) production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)

Variable. Two hardpoints for air-to-surface (KD2 or similar) ordnance including conventional drop bombs and precision-guided munitions (ZD1 or similar).

Supported Types

Graphical image of an aircraft conventional drop bomb munition

Graphical image of an aircraft guided bomb munition

(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)

Hardpoint Mountings: 2

WZ-2000 - Base Series Designation

WZ-2000B - Improved Production Model

WuZhen-2000 - Alternative Designation

WZ-9 - Previous Product Designation

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