China: roll-out ceremony for 100th export of Pterodactyl-1, or Yilong-1, drone.

On December 25, 2018, at the headquarters of the Chinese state aviation corporation AVIC, the solemn ceremony of rolling out the hundredth export drone unmanned aerial vehicle Pterodactyl-1 (Yilong-1) took place, setting a new record for the export of Chinese UAVs.

The Chengdu Pterodactyl I, also known as Wing-Loong 1, is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed by the Chinese Defense Company AVIC ( Aviation Industry Corporation of China). (Picture source: AVIC)

The Chengdu Pterodactyl I, also known as Wing-Loong, is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed by the Chinese Defense Company AVIC ( Aviation Industry Corporation of China).

The Chinese Armed Forces currently employ UAVs in a wide range of missions, though the extent to which it does so and its level of overall proficiency and integration are unclear. According to official press, the PLA has incorporated UAVs into large-scale, multi-force training exercises over the last several years.

This platform is capable of reconnaissance, surveillance, and meteorological operations. At the AirShow China 2014 in Zhuhai, the Chinese Air Force displayed the Wing-Loong with its full range of weapon systems and optics, showing its capabilities to conduct combat missions. The Wing-Loong UAV at AirShow China 2014 was exhibited along with seven weapons including missiles and bombs: FT-9/50 50 kg bomb for drone, FT-10/25 25 kg bomb for drone, BRMI-90 90mm guided rocket, GB-4/100 precision guided munition, GB-7/50 50 kg precision guided munition, FT-7/130 small 130 kg bomb with planar wing. This UAV can also be armed with the AKD-10, an air-to-surface anti-tank missile which can be used not only for armored targets, but also against bunkers, fortifications, and vehicles without armor.

The 1,100 kg Wing Loong is about the same size as the American MQ-1 Predator and can fly for over 4,000 kilometers in 20 hours. It has 200kg payload of armaments and sensors. The electro-optical turret in the Wing Loong's nose makes it highly adequate for surveillance and targeting.