AirShow China 2018: CASIC reveals WJ-010 reconnaissance and strike UAV.

At AirShow China 2018, being held from 6 to 11 November in Zhuhai, China, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) is presenting for the first time the WJ-010, a reconnaissance and precision strike tactical drone. 

The WJ-010 tactical drone at AirShow China 2018
(Picture source Army Recognition)

WJ-010 UAV is a development of the unarmed CASIC HW-100 Sparrowhawk. Both UAVs share the identical layout but the first one utilizes modular design concept in order to allow the operator to choose between two types of payload.

The WJ-010 is designed to fulfill strike and reconnaissance missions thanks to a wide range of payloads with a maximum load weight of 1 kg. It can carry reconnaissance devices to conduct very short range ISR missions. The UAV can also carry a warhead and a front-end reconnaissance and guidance equipment to conduct reconaissance and strike missions.

Such as the HW-100 Sparrowhawk, the WJ-010 UAV is a hand or catapult-launched drone. It is powered by a pusher engine mounted behind the wing. It has a maximum take-off weight of 6 kg, a cruise speed of about 80 km/h and a service ceiling of 3 km. Deployment and recovery time is less than 10 minutes.

The WJ series UAVs are Chinese UAVs developed by the 3rd Academy Hiwing of CASIC.