China unveils next-gen Wing Loong II UCAV

Chengdu Aircraft Corporation revealed its second-generation Wing Loong II turboprop-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at the biennial Beijing Air Show in mid-September.

Data and images of the platform show a strong resemblance to the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UCAV. Partial images of the UCAV seen on Chinese web pages in early March 2015 suggest that runway- or flight-testing has already started.

While the Wing Loong II name is likely its export designation, it can be expected to enter People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) units alongside the smaller Chengdu GJ-1/Wing Loong.

Both in configuration and dimensionally the Wing Loong II compares well to the MQ-9 Reaper. Both are powered by a single pusher turboprop engine, place their satellite communication system and primary optical system in the nose, and employ large V-stabilisers with a smaller vertical stabiliser below the empennage.

While almost identical in size, their performance differs - most likely due to their respective engines. While the MQ-9 has a maximum speed of 482 km/h and can reach a maximum altitude of 50,000 ft (15,240 m), the Wing Loong II has a maximum speed of 370 km/h and can reach an altitude of30,000 ft (9,000 m).

They also differ greatly in their external payload. The MQ-9 is credited with an external payload of 1,400 kg while the Wing Loong II can carry 480 kg.

A brochure image shows the Wing Loong II carrying 12 air-to-surface missiles. These are probably the 26.5 kg Norinco Blue Arrow 9 ground-attack missiles revealed at the 2014 Airshow China at Zhuhai. Multiple Chinese companies have developed families of UCAV weapons including precision-guided missiles, bombs, and air-to-air missiles.

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