AirShow China 2018: CASIC launches I-D version of Wing Loong UAS.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco lAt AirShow China 2018, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) launches the I-D version in the Wing Loong family of strike-capable reconnaissance medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles. The Wing Loong I-D is a new generation of improved reconnaissance-strike UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) designed and developed in China.

Wing Loong I-D UAS Unmanned Aerial Systems at AirShow China 2018, Zhuhai. (Picture source Army Recognition)

According to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the Wing Loong I-D is an improved version of the Wing Loong I UAV, which is in service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.

The upgraded variant of the Wing Loong I has an improved aerodynamics and engine enabling greater takeoff weight, service ceiling, and endurance. Other upgrades include and both internal and external stores, as well as communications equipment.

According to our first analysis, the design of the Wing Loong I-D is very similar to the first generation of Wing Loong, it has a length of 8.7m, 3.2 m in height, and a wingspan of 17.6 m. It has monoplane slender fuselage and empennage with a prominent V-tail and ventral fin. It features two vertical tail fins, arranged in a V shape. The landing gear consists of two main wheels under the fuselage and one single wheel under the nose.

The Wing Loong I-D seems to be powered by a piston engine to reach a maximum speed of 280 km/h and a service ceiling of 7,500 m (24,600 ft). It also has an operating endurance of 35 hours.

The Wing Loong I-D can be armed, it has two hardpoints under the wings, able to carry air-to-surface anti-tank missile, guided rocket, small bombs, bomb for drones, and precision-guided munitions.

The forward section of the fuselage is fitted with an electro-optical payload pod that can integrated day/night vision, infrared cameras and sensors to collect surveillance and targeting data in both day and low-light / night conditions.