The Chengdu Wing Loong UAV drone serves double-duty for several global customers beyond China as it can be modified to undertake various over-battlefield roles including attack.
The Chengdu Pterodactyl I (also known as the Wing-Loong I) was unveiled by company representatives during the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Zhuhai) in 2010. The system is a "Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance" (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) with provision having been developed to convert the type into an Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) by supporting various precision munition options. A first-flight is believed to have occurred during 2009 and flight testing into 2013. At least one prototype was lost during development.
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAC) holds a decades-long history concerning modern Chinese aviation, having begun operations as a manufacturer of Soviet-originated jet aircraft during the Cold War during a time when a close relationship between the two Asian powers ruled. Since then, the concern has evolved to designing, developing and producing largely indigenous products for use by the Chinese military and allies (the latter only when export is approved). The Pterodactyl UAV is one such creation, approved for export and, to date, having been evaluated (though not selected) by Pakistan for its MALE UAV requirement.
Externally, the Pterodactyl showcases an appearance not unlike the American "Predator" UAV series, complete with its bulbous nose housing, streamlined fuselage, wheeled undercarriage and outward cranked vertical tail fins. The main wing assemblies are also straight appendages and can hold underwing stores (it is envisioned that the system will make use of up to four underwing guided bombs or missiles). A blister, held under the nose, contains traversing optics. The undercarriage is wheeled for easier management of the system by ground personnel and is fully-retractable into the body of the vehicle when in flight - all of the legs retract rearwards to promote strong aerodynamic qualities. Power is served through a rear-mounted conventional engine driving a three-bladed propeller assembly in a "pusher" configuration.
Internally, the Pterodactyl is being testing with various equipment packages. The aircraft is suspected to carry a synthetic aperture radar system as well as FLIR (Forward-Looking Infra-Red). The total listed payload of the Pterodactyl series is expected to be in the vicinity of 220lbs on production-quality models. Listed specifications include a 175 mile per hour maximum speed, 2,500 mile operational range (with 20 hour mission endurance time reported) and an operating service ceiling of 16,400 feet.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
February 2017 - The advanced Wing-Loong II made its first-flight on February 27th, 2017. The flight lasted 31 minutes.
June 2017 - The Wing-Loong II was showcased at the Paris Air Show 2017.
October 2018 - Pakistan has committed to the purchase of a fleet of Wing Loong II series attack UAVs from China.
November 2018 - The Wing-Loong II was displayed for the first time at the Zhuhai static park complete with PLAAF colors and the designation of "GJ-2".
September 2019 - Serbia has been confirmed as a customer of the Wing-Loong uAV.
February 2020 - The Wing Loong 2 has been operationally used over Libya by the Libyan National Army.
November 2020 - Nigeria is set to receive a pair of Wing-Loong II armed UAVs from China.
China; Egypt; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Libya (Libyan National Army); Nigeria; Pakistan; Saudi Arabia; Serbia; United Arab Emirates; Uzbekistan
(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.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
✓Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.
Length
29.7 ft (9.05 m)
Width/Span
45.9 ft (14.00 m)
Height
9.1 ft (2.77 m)
MTOW
2,425 lb (1,100 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Chengdu Wing-Loong I production variant)
monoplane / mid-mounted / straight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the Chengdu Wing-Loong I production variant)
Installed:
1 x Conventionally-powered engine driving a three-bladed propeller in pusher configuration at rear of fuselage.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Chengdu Wing-Loong I 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)
Typically sensor equipment for ISR role but also up to 220lb of externally-held air-to-surface missiles or precision-guided drop munitions held across six total underwing hardpoints (three to a wing).
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 6
Mounting Points
-
-
9
7
5
-
-
-
4
6
8
-
-
HARDPOINT(S) KEY:
X
15
13
11
9
7
5
3
1
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
COLOR KEY:
Fuselage Centerline
Fuselage Port/Wingroot
Fuselage Starboard/Wingroot
Wing/Underwing
Wingtip Mount(s)
Internal Bay(s)
Not Used
Note: Diagram above does not take into account inline hardpoints (mounting positions seated one-behind-the-other).
Wing-Loong - Base Series Designation
Pterosaur I - Original flying model of 2005
Wing-Loong I - Alternative name; first-flight in 2009; single underwing hardpoint.
Wing-Loong II - Improved, upgraded model with increased support for underwing munitions; 70% composite construction; 36-foot wingspan; 9,300lb weight; 1,058lb payload; six underwing hardpoints; winglets added to latest versions; more powerful diesel-fueled engine for enhanced performance.
WJ-1 - Land-attack model; sans chin blister; debuted November 2014.
GJ-1 - PLAAF service designation; land-attack model; improved capability including self-designation of targets; underwing weapons support and chin blister housing optics set.
GJ-2 - New military designation unveiled on a static Wing-Loong II display at Zhuhai Air Show 2018; showcased in PLAAF colors.
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
64
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 200mph
Lo: 100mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (174mph).
Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Chengdu Wing-Loong I operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (250)
250
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
>>
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
1 / 1
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
Similar Aircraft
Aviation developments of similar form and function, or related to, the Chengdu (AVIC) Wing-Loong (Pterodactyl)...
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.
China; Egypt; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Libya (Libyan National Army); Nigeria; Pakistan; Saudi Arabia; Serbia; United Arab Emirates; Uzbekistan
