Engineering:Guizhou WZ-7 Soaring Dragon

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WZ-7 Xiáng Lóng (Soaring Dragon)
WZ-7 at Airshow China Zhuhai 2022.jpg
WZ-7 at Airshow China Zhuhai 2022
Role Unmanned maritime surveillance and patrol aircraft
National origin People's Republic of China
Manufacturer Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation
Designer Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group
Introduction 2018[1]
Status In production[1]
Primary users People's Liberation Army Air Force
People's Liberation Army Navy
Produced 2015/2016 - ?[2]
Number built 20

The Guizhou WZ-7 Xiáng Lóng (Soaring Dragon) (Chinese: 无侦-7 翔龙) is a high-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the People's Republic of China.[1][3] The aircraft features a unique joined-wing design.[3]

The primary mission is expected to be aerial reconnaissance, but it may also be fitted to provide targeting data for anti-ship ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.[4]

Development

The WZ-7 was designed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and constructed by the Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation. A model appeared at the 2006 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition.[5] The first flight has not occurred as of 2011. The drone conducted radar cross-section testing.[5] The WZ-7 entered serial production in 2015 to 2016.[2] A complete redesign of WZ-7 was observed in 2020 with the Chinese Air Force roundel. The redesign featured V-tails, a different engine nozzle with the WS-13 turbofan engine, and changes to the ventral fin and the sail structure.[6] The WZ-7 UAV was officially unveiled by the military at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2021.[3][7] It was displayed again in 2022.[8]

Design

Larger than most UAVs, the WZ-7 features a tandem, joined-wing design, which allows for a more rigid, less flexible wing than other configurations, with benefits said to include an increased lift-to-drag ratio and less complex flight controls than a HALE UAV with a conventional wing.[9][5][4] The air intake for the engine is mounted atop the fuselage, with the engine itself mounted in the rear of the aircraft.[5] The prototype aircraft is powered by a Guizhou WP-13 turbojet engine, a copy of the Soviet Tumansky R-13; it is anticipated that an improved engine will be installed in production aircraft.[5][10]

The operational WZ-7 has a significantly modified shape. The single vertical tail on the prototype was changed to a pair of canted tails.[11] A turbofan engine was installed on the production model.[6] Due to the different engine and aerodynamics, the endurance of the production model is unknown. It is speculated to be longer than the 10 hours advertised for the prototype.[11]

Operational history

The WZ-7 entered service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force in 2018[1] and a number were deployed to the Tibet Autonomous Region, Hainan Island, and Yishuntun Airbase near North Korea.[12]

On 24 July 2019, a WZ-7 shadowed the American Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Antietam as she transited the Taiwan Strait.[13]

On 15 December 2022, it was reported that China has allegedly deployed WZ-7 UAVs near Indian border in Tibet.[14]

Operators

 People's Republic of China

Specifications (Soaring Dragon prototype)

Artist's impression of the WZ-7 prototype

Data from AirForces Monthly[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: None
  • Length: 14.33 m (47 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 24.86 m (81 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 5.41 m (17 ft 9 in)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Guizhou WP-13 turbojet or unknown type of turbofan, 43.1 kN (9,700 lbf) thrust

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 750 km/h (466 mph, 405 kn)
  • Range: 7,000 km (4,300 mi, 3,800 nmi)
  • Combat range: 2,000 km (1,200 mi, 1,100 nmi)
  • Endurance: 10 hours (at maximum speed; with turbojet)
  • Service ceiling: 18,000 m (59,000 ft)
  • Thrust/weight: 5.8

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Rupprecht, Andreas; Dominguez, Gabriel (11 November 2021). "Chinese air force equips 16th Air Division with WZ-7 HALE UAVs". https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/chinese-air-force-equips-16th-air-division-with-wz-7-hale-uavs. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplanes:Chinese Air Force - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 978-09973092-6-3. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Waldron, Greg (29 September 2021). "Zhuhai UAV bazaar returns with a vengeance". Gale General OneFile. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A677324928/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=ebsco&xid=b01222a3. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Newdick, Thomas, ed (September 2011). "World News: China's Soar Eagle UAV revealed". Combat Aircraft (Hersham, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Publishing) 12 (9): 30. ISSN 2041-7489. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Parsons, Gary, ed (September 2011). "News Headlines: Has China Unveiled Its Soar Dragon?". AirForces Monthly (London: Key Publishing) (282): 4–5. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Xianglong WZ-7 drone commissioned to guide carrier-killer missiles". 18 December 2020. https://www.china-arms.com/2020/12/wz7-drone-help-carrier-killer/. 
  7. ↑ "New largest Chinese-made HALE combat drone WZ-7 Soar Dragon enters into service". 11 November 2021. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_november_2021_global_security_army_industry/new_largest_chinese-made_hale_combat_drone_wz-7_soar_dragon_enters_into_service.html. 
  8. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (7 November 2022). "All The Air Combat Developments Out Of China's Massive Air Show". https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/all-the-air-combat-developments-out-of-chinas-massive-air-show. 
  9. ↑ Yeo, Mike (30 September 2021). "Chinese airshow offers glimpse at military's new drones". https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2021/09/30/chinese-airshow-offers-glimpse-at-militarys-new-drones/. 
  10. ↑ "Chinese UAV WZ-7 Soar Dragon conducts live combat training". 16 February 2022. https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2022-news-aviation-aerospace/february/8200-chinese-uav-wz-7-soar-dragon-conducts-live-combat-training.html. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Newdick, Thomas (3 January 2023). "Japanese Fighters Intercept China's High-Flying WZ-7 Drone For First Time". https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/japanese-fighters-intercept-chinas-high-flying-wz-7-drone-for-first-time. 
  12. ↑ "Soar Dragon UAVs Deploy to Yishuntun Airbase". Bellingcat. 23 March 2018. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/rest-of-world/2018/03/23/soar-dragon-uavs-deploy-yishuntun-airbase/. 
  13. ↑ Axe, David (29 July 2019). "China's Giant Spy Drone Just Tailed a U.S. Navy Cruiser". https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/china%E2%80%99s-giant-spy-drone-just-tailed-us-navy-cruiser-69881. 
  14. ↑ "China deploys Guizhou WZ-7 Soaring Dragon HALE drones at Shigatse Airport in Tibet near the border with India" (in en). 2022-12-15. https://theigmp.org/china-deploys-guizhou-wz-7-soaring-dragon-drones-at-shigatse-airport-in-tibet-near-border-with-india/. 
  15. ↑ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). "6 Asia". The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003400226. ISBN 9781003400226. 
  16. ↑ Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplane: Chinese Naval Aviation - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 978-09973092-5-6. 



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