Wing Loong I

Description: The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Yi Long, also known as Wing Loong, Pterosaur or Pterodactyl-1, is a turboprop powered unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) similar to the United States Air Force MQ-9 Reaper. The new aircraft its cheaper than its Western counterparts and has been developed by Chengdu Aircraft Building Institute since 2005 for both Chinese and international customers including military and civilian operators. The first prototype made its first flight in 2008. The 1 ton air vehicle has been designed to operate at ranges of 4,000 kilometers with a flight endurance of up to 20 hours. The aircraft can be equipped with electro-optical sensor pods and under-wing missiles. The airframe is configured for low radar cross section and features V-tail. Besides, this UAV is about 30 times cheaper than the US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper. China unveiled its Yi Long air vehicle during China Airshow exhibition in Zhuhai on November 13, 2012. It was deployed for the first time during Peace Mission-2014 drills within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from August 24 to 29.

In May 2014 Saudi Arabia ordered the Wing Loong medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from China. This deal was reported on May 6, 2014. China is promoting the Pterosaur attack UAV as an anti-terror weapon system for global operations. So far, the attack aircraft has demonstrated its ability to conduct reconnaissance and strike missions flying at medium altitude and low speed during long endurance operations. The Pterosaur can reach a target area 300 km away within two hours and perform a 12-hour monitoring mission. Two or three air vehicles might perform a 24-hour non-stop surveillance over a target area.