By Gabriel Dominguer & Rahul Bedi
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) will reportedly jointly produce 48 Wing-Loong II strike-capable, reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The announcement, which was made on 6th October via the Facebook page of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF’s) Sherdils Aerobatic Team, was also covered by China’s state-owned Global Time newspaper.
However, no details were revealed about the value of the deal, when it was struck, the delivery schedule, and whether all of the platforms are intended for use by the Pakistani military. If confirmed, the deal would be one of the largest known foreign orders placed for the Chinese developed turboprop powered UAV.
The latest developments come after commercial satellite imagery captured on 24th November 2017 showed that the Pakistani military may already be operating the Wing Loong 1 UAV.
The second generation Wing
- Pakistan’s PAC and China’s CAC are reportedly set to jointly build 48 Wing Loong II UAVs
- No details were revealed about whether all of the platforms are for use by the Pakistani military
Loong II was first displayed at the China Airshow 2016 in Zhuhai and conducted its maiden flight in February 2017. In December 2017 the Xinhua news agency reported that the platform hit five targets in succession using five different types of missile as part of a live-firing test. Citing the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), Xinhua reported at the time that by achieving a “l00% hit rate” the Wing Loong II set a new live-firing record for a Chinese-made UAV in a single sortie.
As lane’s previously reported, the Wing Loong II bears a strong resemblance to the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc MQ-9 Reaper UAV, with its low-wing monoplane form, slender fuselage and empennage with a prominent V-tail and ventral fin. Like its US counterpart, each wing incorporates three underwing hard points.
Jane’s understands from AVIC that the UAV is constructed from advanced composites, with official literature quoting an overall length of 11 m, a wingspan of 20.5 m, and a height of 4.1 m.
This closely matches the Reaper’s dimensions of 10.97 m (length). 20.12 m (wingspan), and 3.81 m (height). However, despite being almost identical in appearance and size, the Wing Loong II falls short in overall flight performance, with a stated maximum speed of 370 km/h and service ceiling of 30,000 ft (9,000 m) compared with the Reaper’s 444 km/h and 50,000 ft.
Chinese analysts point to the lower cost of the Wing Long II compared to that of the Reaper and to the fact that the United States limits the export of its military UAVs. In February 2017 Xinhua reported that AVIC had secured an international contract for the Wing Loong II, marking a mile-stone in China’s bid to become a major military exporter.