China Positions Wing Loong X Drone as Autonomous ASW Platform for Naval Warfare.

China showcases the Wing Loong X Drone at the World Defense Show 2026, positioning it as the first unmanned aircraft designed to detect, track, and engage submarines independently. The platform highlights Beijing’s push to expand unmanned systems into complex naval missions traditionally reserved for crewed patrol aircraft.

Presented by the Chinese company Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the Wing Loong X marks a notable step in the evolution of Chinese unmanned aerial systems tailored for maritime operations. The aircraft, previously shown as a full-scale model at the Dubai Airshow 2025, is now being framed as part of China’s broader industrial strategy for next-generation naval warfare, with a particular focus on autonomous anti-submarine missions that have historically relied on manned maritime patrol aircraft.
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With a wingspan exceeding 20 meters, the Wing Loong X becomes the largest and heaviest armed reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle developed by China to date (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Wing Loong X belongs to the Wing Loong family, which is already known for reconnaissance and strike drones developed for both domestic use and export markets. This X variant, however, reflects a clear shift toward maritime roles. With a wingspan exceeding 20 meters, it becomes the largest and heaviest armed reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle developed by China to date. The aircraft is designed for high altitude operations, with a reported service ceiling of 10,000 meters and an endurance of up to 40 hours, a combination that supports prolonged surveillance missions over large maritime areas.

The Wing Loong X is configured for anti submarine warfare missions. The platform is equipped to deploy sonobuoys for underwater acoustic detection and carries integrated maritime surveillance sensors. It is also presented as capable of carrying lightweight torpedoes, giving it, at least conceptually, the ability to directly engage submerged targets. This configuration distinguishes it from most existing unmanned maritime systems, which are generally limited to sensing and tracking roles.

Beyond its anti-submarine mission set, the Wing Loong X is described as a multi-mission platform. Its modular architecture allows the integration of various payloads, including precision-guided munitions and air-to-air missiles, while retaining intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance functions. AVIC states that the drone can operate either autonomously or as part of a networked force, coordinating with other airborne or naval assets. This operational concept relies on artificial intelligence to fuse radar and acoustic data and enable faster targeting with limited human intervention.

This design approach reflects a broader evolution in Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle doctrine. Earlier Wing Loong variants were primarily optimized for land attack missions and cost-effective export solutions. In contrast, the Wing Loong X emphasizes maritime domain control and the monitoring of naval lines of communication. Analysts point to potential employment in strategically sensitive areas such as the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and the western Pacific, where submarine detection plays a central role in naval force balance.

While the combination of long endurance, airborne acoustic sensors, and anti-submarine weapons represents a conceptual development, limited information is available regarding the system’s operational maturity. Anti submarine warfare remains a technically demanding mission, requiring tight integration between sensors, platforms, and command structures, often in acoustically complex maritime environments.

The concept of an unmanned platform autonomously detecting and engaging submarines also raises doctrinal and technical concerns, particularly regarding target classification reliability and the level of human control in the use of force. Western navies already employ unmanned systems for maritime surveillance and sensor deployment, but autonomous weapon employment in the undersea domain remains constrained and cautiously approached.

Despite these uncertainties, the visibility given to the Wing Loong X at WDS 2026 underlines AVIC’s intention to enter capability areas traditionally dominated by Western naval powers. As a central actor in China’s state-owned defense industry, AVIC continues to expand its unmanned systems portfolio across air, land, and maritime domains.

Earlier Wing Loong variants have been exported to multiple countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. While the Wing Loong X is currently presented as an advanced capability, its potential availability on the export market could affect regional maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare balances. For AVIC, the program illustrates both a move toward more complex mission profiles and an industrial strategy aimed at strengthening China’s position in the global military unmanned aerial systems market.