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Guizhou WZ-7 Soaring Dragon

The Guizhou WZ-7 Soaring Dragon (Chinese: 无侦-7 翔龙; pinyin: Wú zhēn-qī Xiáng Lóng) 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]

WZ-7 Soaring Dragon
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 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

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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

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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. The aircraft could cruise significantly longer[12] than the 10 hours advertised for the prototype.[11]

Operational history

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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.[13]

On 24 July 2019, a WZ-7 shadowed the American Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Antietam as she transited the Taiwan Strait.[14]

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

On 26 March 2024, a China People's Liberation Army (PLA) WZ-7 high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) undertook flight maneuvers over the Sea of Japan.[12]

Based on satellite images, the WZ-7 likely began its deployment over the South China Sea in 2022. On 18 April 2024, the WZ-7 was observed flying over the West Philippine Sea, the southeast section of the South China Sea. The drone was likely monitoring the deployment of the Typhon missile launcher by the United States on Luzon.[16]

Operators

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  People's Republic of China

Specifications (Soaring Dragon prototype)

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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

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to WZ-7.
  1. ^ a b c d Rupprecht, Andreas; Dominguez, Gabriel (11 November 2021). "Chinese air force equips 16th Air Division with WZ-7 HALE UAVs". Janes. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b Rupprecht, Andreas (2018). Modern Chinese Warplanes:Chinese Air Force - Aircraft and Units. Harpia Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 978-09973092-6-3.
  3. ^ a b c Waldron, Greg (29 September 2021). "Zhuhai UAV bazaar returns with a vengeance". FlightGlobal. Gale General OneFile. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b Newdick, Thomas, ed. (September 2011). "World News: China's Soar Eagle UAV revealed". Combat Aircraft. 12 (9). Hersham, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Publishing: 30. ISSN 2041-7489.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Parsons, Gary, ed. (September 2011). "News Headlines: Has China Unveiled Its Soar Dragon?". AirForces Monthly. No. 282. London: Key Publishing. pp. 4–5.
  6. ^ a b "Xianglong WZ-7 drone commissioned to guide carrier-killer missiles". China Arms. 18 December 2020.
  7. ^ "New largest Chinese-made HALE combat drone WZ-7 Soar Dragon enters into service". armyrecognition. 11 November 2021.
  8. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (7 November 2022). "All The Air Combat Developments Out Of China's Massive Air Show". The Drive.
  9. ^ Yeo, Mike (30 September 2021). "Chinese airshow offers glimpse at military's new drones". Defense News.
  10. ^ "Chinese UAV WZ-7 Soar Dragon conducts live combat training". airrecognition. 16 February 2022.
  11. ^ a b Newdick, Thomas (3 January 2023). "Japanese Fighters Intercept China's High-Flying WZ-7 Drone For First Time". The Drive.
  12. ^ a b Trevithick, Joseph (26 March 2024). "China's WZ-7 High-Altitude Drone Makes First Known Flight Over Sea Of Japan". The War Zone.
  13. ^ "Soar Dragon UAVs Deploy to Yishuntun Airbase". Offiziere.ch. Bellingcat. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  14. ^ Axe, David (29 July 2019). "China's Giant Spy Drone Just Tailed a U.S. Navy Cruiser". The National Interest. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
  15. ^ "China deploys Guizhou WZ-7 Soaring Dragon HALE drones at Shigatse Airport in Tibet near the border with India". 2022-12-15.
  16. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (18 April 2024). "China's High-Altitude WZ-7 Drone Has Appeared Near The Philippines". The War Zone.
  17. ^ The International Institute for Strategic Studies (15 February 2023). "6 Asia". The Military Balance 2023. London: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003400226. ISBN 9781003400226. S2CID 256916955.
  18. ^ 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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