Chinese defense aviation industry unveils its new Wing Loong 3 UAV at AirShow China 2022.

According to pictures released on the China army Telegram account, Chengdu Aircraft Design And Research Institute (CAIG) from China unveils its new Wing Loong 3 (WL-3) unmanned aerials systems during Airshow China 2022 which takes place in Zhuhai from 8 to 13 November 2022.
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The new Wing Loong 3 is unveiled at airShow China 2022. (Picture source China army Telegram account)

The Wing Loong is a series of medium-low altitude, dual-use, long-endurance multi-purpose UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) which is designed to conduct reconnaissance and attack missions. The development of the Wing Loong began in 2005 and the first flight was conducted in October 2007.

The Wing Loong UAV, developed by Chengdu Aircraft Design And Research Institute (CAIG) under AVIC, is a medium-low altitude, dual-use, long-endurance multi-purpose UAV. It can fly as a fully autonomous platform.

The Wing Loong UAV can carry a variety of reconnaissance, laser irradiation/ranging, electronic countermeasures equipment, and small air-to-ground strike weapons. It can be used for surveillance, reconnaissance, ground attack and other tasks, as well as anti-terrorism and border patrol.

The design of the Wing Loong 3 is similar to the Wing Loong 2 consisting of a monoplane slender fuselage and empennage with a prominent V-tail and ventral fin. The landing gear consists of two main wheels under the fuselage and one single wheel under the nose. The electro-optical payload pod, fitted under the forward section of the fuselage, is integrated with daylight and infrared cameras and sensors to collect surveillance and targeting data in both day and low-light / night conditions.

The Wing Loong 3 has now four hardpoints under each wing. It has greater payload capacity and can fly a longer distance. It can carry PL-10E air-to-air missiles which have a firing range of 24 km, BA-7 anti-tank missiles, AG-300/M air-to-ground missiles, glide bombs, and, presumably, electronic warfare systems, and radio intelligence.

In terms of technical features, the Wing Loong 3 has a maximum takeoff weight of 6,200 kg, a payload capacity of 2,300 kg, a flight range of 10,000 km, and flight autonomy of 40 hours.

The Wing Loong-3 is now fitted with four hardpoints under each wing able to carry a wide range of weapons including bombs, air-to-air and anti-tank missiles. (Picture source China army Telegram account)