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Chengdu (AVIC) Wing-Loong III (Pterodactyl III)


Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS)


China | 2025



"The Wing-Loong III represents the next logical step in the Chengdu-AVIC series of Medium-Altitude, High-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Chengdu Wing Loong III Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS).
1 x Conventional turboprop engine of unknown make, model, and output power driving five-bladed propeller unit at the rear of the fuselage in pusher arrangement.
Propulsion
249 mph
400 kph | 216 kts
Max Speed
32,808 ft
10,000 m | 6 miles
Service Ceiling
4,350 miles
7,000 km | 3,780 nm
Operational Range
Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Chengdu Wing Loong III Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS).
0
(UNMANNED)
Crew
11,905 lb
(5,400 kg)
Empty Weight
13,669 lb
(6,200 kg)
MTOW
Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Chengdu (AVIC) Wing-Loong III (Pterodactyl III) Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) provided across 9 hardpoints.
Assumed typical support for conventional drop bombs, precision-guided bombs / smart bombs, and various mission pods mounted across eight underwing hardpoint (four to a wing mainplane) and a single dorsal fuselage hardpoint.


X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Hardpoints Key:


Centerline
Wingroot(L)
Wingroot(R)
Wing
Wingtip
Internal
Not Used
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Chengdu (AVIC) Wing-Loong III (Pterodactyl III) family line.
Wing Loong III (Pterodactyl III) - Base Series Name.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/08/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Wing Loong III ("Pterodactyl III") Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was unveiled by AVIC's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) of China at the Zhuhai Air Show in November of 2022. The type represents the third major iteration of the series, dimensionally larger to showcase its increased performance and mission capabilities. The airframe was on display next to original offerings by the company, dwarfing the lineup considerably, and represents another milestone in the growing Chinese unmanned aircraft arsenal.

The aircraft retains the proven straight-wing arrangement and subsonic performance of previous iterations. It features a streamlined fuselage with noticeably bulbous nose section and a chin-mounted optics blister. The optics set is given unfettered views of the terrain ahead and around the air vehicle, traversing on its balanced, stabilized gimbal mounting. The engine is sat in the rear of the fuselage and drives a five-bladed propeller unit in "pusher" fashion, clearing the forward sections of the airframe for mission equipment and unobstructed camera work. The tail unit incorporates its twin planes in an outward-canted configuration where they serve as both rudder and elevator, simplifying the design and overall construction. Smaller dorsal planes are also noted under the tail for additional stability. The mainplanes are set near midships and each is given four hardpoints. The wings are further capped by winglets at their tips. A retractable, wheeled undercarriage allows for the needed ground-running function.

The aircraft was exhibited with various air-to-surface ordnance options including Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs) and what appeared to be mission pods. Early data showcases a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of around 13,700lb.

The earlier Wing Loong I is powered by a conventional piston engine and provides a mission endurance window of about 20 hours flight time with cruise speeds near 175 miles-per-hour. The follow-up Wing Loong II is powered by a turboprop installation and has an endurance time of up to 32 hours with cruise speeds reaching 230 miles-per-hour. Against this background, the Wing Loon III most likely exceeds the operating window by at least 5 to 10 hours and can be estimated to have a cruising speed near 250 miles-per-hour in a clean, all-up configuration.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

November 2022 - The Wing Loong III was debuted at Zhuhai Air Show 2022 in China.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Chengdu (AVIC) Wing-Loong III (Pterodactyl III). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 1 Units

Contractor(s): Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) / AVIC - China
National flag of China

[ China (probable) ]
1 / 1
Image of the Chengdu (AVIC) Wing-Loong III (Pterodactyl III)
Image released by Chinese State Media.

Similar
Developments of similar form-and-function, or related, to the Chengdu (AVIC) Wing-Loong III (Pterodactyl III) Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) Specifications and Pictures.
Going Further...
The Chengdu (AVIC) Wing-Loong III (Pterodactyl III) Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) appears in the following collections:
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