The Guizhou WZ-7 Soaring Dragon (Chinese: 无侦-7 翔龙; pinyin: Wú zhēn-qī Xiáng Lóng) is a high-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the People's Republic of China.[1][3] The aircraft features a unique joined-wing design.[3]
| WZ-7 Soaring Dragon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| WZ-7 at Airshow China Zhuhai 2022 | |
| 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 | 20 |
The primary mission is expected to be aerial reconnaissance, but it may also be fitted to provide targeting data for anti-ship ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.[4]
Development
The WZ-7 was designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and constructed by the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation. A model appeared at the 2006 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.[5] The first flight has not occurred as of 2011. The drone conducted radar cross-section testing.[5] The WZ-7 entered serial production in 2015 to 2016.[2] A complete redesign of WZ-7 was observed in 2020 with the Chinese Air Force roundel. The redesign featured V-tails, a different engine nozzle with the WS-13 turbofan engine, and changes to the ventral fin and the sail structure.[6] The WZ-7 UAV was officially unveiled by the military at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2021.[3][7] It was displayed again in 2022.[8]
Design
Larger than most UAVs, the WZ-7 features a tandem, joined-wing design, which 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.[9][5][4] The air intake for the engine is mounted atop the fuselage, with the engine itself mounted in the rear of the aircraft.[5] The prototype aircraft is powered by a Guizhou WP-13 turbojet engine, a copy of the Soviet Tumansky R-13; it is anticipated that an improved engine will be installed in production aircraft.[5][10]
The operational WZ-7 has a significantly modified shape. The single vertical tail on the prototype was changed to a pair of canted tails.[11] A turbofan engine was installed on the production model.[6] Due to the different engine and aerodynamics, the endurance of the production model is unknown. It is speculated to be longer than the 10 hours advertised for the prototype.[11]
Operational history
The WZ-7 entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 2018[1] and a number were deployed to the Tibet Autonomous Region, Hainan Island, and Yishuntun Airbase near North Korea.[12]
On 24 July 2019, a WZ-7 shadowed the American Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Antietam as she transited the Taiwan Strait.[13]
On 15 December 2022, it was reported that China has allegedly deployed WZ-7 UAVs near Indian border in Tibet.[14]
On March 26 2024, a China People’s Liberation Army (PLA) WZ-7 high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) undertook flight maneuvers over the Sea of Japan. [15]
Operators
- People's Liberation Army Air Force: 12 units as of 2022[16]
- People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force: 8 units as of 2018[17]
Specifications (Soaring Dragon prototype)
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 or unknown type of turbofan, 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 (at maximum speed; with turbojet)
- Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,000 ft)
- Thrust/weight: 5.8
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
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