China unveils Wing Loong-3 intercontinental military drone with self-defence mechanism at Zhuhai air show
- China’s latest advanced UAV is armed with air-to-air missiles that military analysts say will allow it to hit helicopters and other drones
- It can fly 10,000km at medium altitude while carrying heavy loads, giving it a stronger strike capability, say analysts
The latest version in the Wing Loong drone series can fly a maximum range of 10,000km (6,200 miles) at medium altitude and has a 12.2-metre (40 feet) long main body and a 24-metre wingspan that enable it to fly long range while carrying heavy loads, according to Chinese state media.
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State media reported that Wing Loong-3 could carry as many as 16 missiles and bombs.
Footage of the Wing Loong-3 on display in Zhuhai shows it is equipped with the PL-10E fourth-generation air-to-air strike missile, which Chinese analysts deem a significant improvement on the Wing Loong-1 and 2 models.
Yue Gang, a retired PLA colonel, said carrying PL-10E missiles meant the Wing Loong-3 could hit targets such as helicopters and UAVs, which “gives it a self-defence capability and improved its survivability”.
Compared with previous Wing Loong models, Yue said its larger size enables it to achieve long-range, heavy-loading and multitask performance.
Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor, said its long endurance and heavy loads allowed the Wing Loong-3 to have a stronger strike capability.
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“And carrying the PL-10E missiles enables it to have a certain ability to counter air targets, which is not available to the previous UAVs of the Wing Loong family,” he added.
Zhou Yi, chief designer of Wing Loong-3, told state broadcaster CCTV that the advanced drone was capable of carrying out intercontinental operations, including long-distance surveillance or reconnaissance, striking time-sensitive targets and carrying out long-duration air patrols.
“Its entire payload is completely ahead of the existing mid-altitude long-endurance UAVs in terms of weight, quantity or type,” Zhou said.
“In addition to military tasks, it can play a helpful role in a wide range of civilian missions, such as atmospheric measurement, signal relay and emergency rescue,” he said.
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Wing Loong series UAVs have been exported to at least 11 countries, including in Africa and the Middle East, and have reportedly played an active role in conflicts such as the Libyan civil war.
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Other new drones in the Wing Loong family – including the Wing Loong-1E and Wing Loong-10A – also made their debuts at Airshow China, state media said.
Wing Loong-1E – which is designed to compete with the American MQ-1C Grey Eagle – completed its maiden flight earlier this year.
