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

Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) [ 2025 ]

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

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/08/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

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.©MilitaryFactory.com

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

Specifications

Service Year

2025

Origin

China

Status

IN-DEVELOPMENT
Program in Progress.

Crew

0
UNMANNED

Production

1
UNITS

Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) / AVIC - China

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

China (probable)

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

GROUND ATTACK
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.

CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.

INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

X-PLANE
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.

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

Empty Wgt

11,905 lb
(5,400 kg)

MTOW

13,669 lb
(6,200 kg)

Wgt Diff

+1,764 lb
(+800 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the Chengdu Wing Loong III production variant)

monoplane / mid-mounted / straight

Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern 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 III production variant)

Installed: 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.

Max Speed

249 mph
(400 kph | 216 kts)

Cruise Speed

162 mph
(260 kph | 140 kts)

Max. Speed Diff

+87 mph
(+140 kph | 76 kts)

Ceiling

32,808 ft
(10,000 m | 6 mi)

Range

4,350 mi
(7,000 km | 3,780 nm)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Chengdu Wing Loong III 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)

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.

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)

9
Hardpoints

-

11

9

7

5

-

1

-

4

6

8

10

-

Hardpoints Key:

15

13

11

9

7

5

3

1

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

X

Color Key:

Centerline

Port Wingroot

Stbd Wingroot

Wing

Wingtip

Internal Bay

Not Used

Wing Loong III (Pterodactyl III) - Base Series Name.

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Images Gallery

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Image of the Chengdu (AVIC) Wing-Loong III (Pterodactyl III)

Image released by Chinese State Media.

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