WZ-7

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WZ-7
Soar Dragon HALE UAV.jpg
Earliest prototype of WZ-7 without the joined wing and v-shaped tail.
Role Unmanned maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft
National origin People's Republic of China
Manufacturer Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation
Designer Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group
Introduction 2018[1]
Status In production[1]
Primary users People's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Navy
Produced 2015/2016 - ?[2]
Number built 16[2][3]

The WZ-7 (Chinese: 无侦-7) , also known as Soar Dragon (Chinese: 翔龙), is an unmanned aerial vehicle of the High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) type, featuring an unusual joined, tandem wingplan.[4] As of 2011 it is being developed by the People's Republic of China for reconnaissance and maritime patrol missions.

Development[]

The WZ-7, designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and constructed by the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation for service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force, was originally displayed as a model at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2006 as the Soar Dragon.[5] Optimized for long-endurance missions at high altitude, the aircraft features an unusual tandem, joined wing platform.[6]

The WZ-7 entered serial production in 2015 to 2016.[2] In 2018, the unmanned aircraft system was spotted in PLA military bases.[1] In 2019, the WZ-7 was spotted in active reconnaissance mission at Taiwan Strait.[7]

The WZ-7 was officially unveiled to the public in 2021 at Zhuhai Airshow.[8]

Design[]

Large by the standards of UAVs, the WZ-7's tandem, joined-wing design allows for a more rigid, less flexible wing than other configurations, with benefits said to include an increased lift-to-drag ratio and less complex flight controls than a HALE UAV with a conventional wing would require.[5] The aircraft is powered by a Guizhou WP-13 turbojet engine, a copy of the Soviet Tumansky R-13; it is anticipated that a newer, improved engine, will be installed in production aircraft.[5] The air intake for the engine is mounted atop the fuselage, with the engine itself mounted in the rear of the aircraft.[5]

The WZ-7 has a similar role and mission to the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk operated by the United States Air Force, but the aircraft design, including the unusual tandem wings and vertical stabilizers, is different.[6]

Operational history[]

As of 2011, the WZ-7 was not known to have yet conducted its maiden flight, however it was undergoing radar cross-section and other electromagnetic tests in anticipation of flight testing.[5]

In service with the PLAAF, the primary mission of the WZ-7 is expected to be aerial reconnaissance, but it is anticipated that the aircraft will also be fitted with sensors suitable for designating naval vessels for targeting by anti-ship ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.[6]

Since 2018, seven WZ-7 and supporting infrastructure have spotted at three bases: three each at Shigatse Airbase in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Lingshui Air Base on Hainan Island (near the South China Sea), and two at Yishuntun Airbase.[9]

On July 24, 2019, a WZ-7 followed an American Ticonderoga-class cruiser, the USS Antietam as it transited the Taiwan Strait, marking its first operational use. As of 2019, the WZ-7 was being operated from three strategic sites: an airbase in Jilin province, near Tibet and Lingshui on Hainan Island.[7]

Operators[]

 People's Republic of China

Specifications[]

Artist's impression of the WZ-7

Data from AirForces Monthly[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: None
  • Length: 14.33 m (47 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 24.86 m (81 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 5.41 m (17 ft 9 in)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Guizhou WP-13 turbojet, 43.1 kN (9,700 lbf) thrust

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 750 km/h (466 mph, 405 kn)
  • Range: 7,000 km (4,300 mi, 3,800 nmi)
  • Combat range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
  • Endurance: 10 hours
  • Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,000 ft)
  • Thrust/weight: 5.8

See also[]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Satellite imagery shows build-up near Doklam". The Hindu. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Rupprecht, Andreas. Modern Chinese Warplanes:Chinese Air Force - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 978-09973092-6-3.
  3. ^ a b Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6.
  4. ^ Joe, Rick (27 November 2019). "China's Growing High-End Military Drone Force". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Parsons, Gary, ed. (September 2011). "News Headlines: Has China Unveiled Its Soar Dragon?". AirForces Monthly. No. 282. London: Key Publishing. pp. 4–5.
  6. ^ a b c Newdick, Thomas, ed. (September 2011). "World News: China's Soar Eagle UAV revealed". Combat Aircraft. Hersham, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Publishing. 12 (9): 30. ISSN 2041-7489.
  7. ^ a b Axe, David (29 July 2019). "China's Giant Spy Drone Just Tailed a U.S. Navy Cruiser". The National Interest. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  8. ^ Huang, Kristin (27 September 2021). "China to unveil new reconnaissance and attack drones at air show". South China Morning Post.
  9. ^ "Soar Dragon UAVs Deploy to Yishuntun Airbase". Bellingcat. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
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