Wing Loong 1 | |
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Side view of Chinese multi-role UAV Wing Long | |
Role | MALE UCAV |
Manufacturer | Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group |
Designer | Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute |
First flight | 2009 Altitude 27000 Pods SAR and ELINT |
Introduction | 2011 |
Status | in service & in production [1] |
Primary users | People's Liberation Army Air Force Egyptian Air Force United Arab Emirates Air Force Pakistan Air Force |
Produced | 2009 |
Developed into | CAIG Wing Loong II |
The Chengdu GJ-1, also known as Wing Loong 1, is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group in the People's Republic of China. Intended for use as a surveillance and aerial reconnaissance platform, the Pterodactyl I is capable of being fitted with air-to-surface weapons for use in an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) role. [1]
Designed and developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI), a division of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), [2] [3] the Pterodactyl I bears a distinct similarity in appearance to the Predator/Reaper family of drones developed by the United States. [3] [4] The drone is capable of being fitted with a variety of sensors, including a forward looking infrared turret and synthetic aperture radar. [2] In addition, the aircraft is capable of carrying weapons. [4] The Pterodactyl I's total payload capacity for sensors and weapons is 200 kilograms (440 lb). [2]
According to CADI, the Pterodactyl I undergone flight testing and has proven successful, with the flight test program including weapons tests of both bombs and air-to-surface missiles. [2]
A model of the Pterodactyl I was displayed at the 2010 China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition at Zhuhai, the first public acknowledgment of the program; [3] [4] however, it was claimed by AVIC that the aircraft had been displayed at the 2008 airshow. [2] The aircraft has been approved for export by Chinese authorities; the Pterodactyl I was evaluated by Pakistan, but was not selected for procurement. [2]
One example of the type was known to have been lost in an accident during 2011. [5]
An unknown number of Pterodactyl UAVs were purchased by Saudi Arabia in May 2014. [6]
Since 2011, China has also sold the Wing Loong to several countries in Africa and the Middle East, including Nigeria, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, at an estimated $1 million per unit. [7]
In March 2017, the Egyptian Air Force launched a number of airstrikes in North Sinai's cities of El Arish, Rafah, and Sheikh Zuweid, as part of the operations conducted by the Egyptian Armed Forces against militants. Most of the strikes, which targeted stationing points and moving vehicles, were carried out by Wing Loong UCAVs leaving 18 militants killed. [8] [9] [10]
There is contradictory reporting whether Chinese-made Chengdu Pterodactyl I drones operated by United Arab Emirates have supported the advance of the Ethiopian army and its allies into Tigray. [11] [12]
In June 2016, a pterodactyl variant of the drone crashed in Pakistan while on an experimental flight near Headpaka area of Mianwali district of Pakistan's punjab. Until this crash, Pakistan was not a known operator of the Wing Loong. [43] [44]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
...on August 6, when at least one Wing Loong II fired at and destroyed another Ukraine registered Il-76, operated by Cargo Alfa Air. The aircraft had landed at Misrata Air Base from Ankara, at around 10.30pm, with ammunition and UAVs, when it was hit
UAE Wing Loong UAV, September 26, 2016, Kholan
Since 2011, China has also sold the Wing Loong, an armed drone, to several countries in Africa and the Middle East, including Nigeria, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.