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Wing Loong 2 UAV MALE
Wing Loong II UAV MALE
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance China
Description
The Wing Loong II is an improved version of the Wing Loong 1 UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in the category of MALE (Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance) designed and manufactured in China by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The Company unveiled the concept of Wing Loong II at the Aviation Expo China in Beijing in September 2015, and a prototype of the Wing Loong II was presented for the first time to the public during the Airshow China exhibition, held in Zhuhai from 1-6 November, 2016. It was also presented for the first time in Europe during the Paris Air Show in June 2017. Compared with Wing Loong I, the Wing Loong II has an optimized aerodynamic design, an improved airfram,e and upgraded airborne systems, featuring better capabilities in terms of flight, payload, and information capacity. In March 2017, a prototype of the Wing Loong II conducted a 31- minute test flight from an unidentified airport in northwestern China. With its Wing Loong II, China aims to offer the new-generation reconnaissance/strike unmanned aerial vehicle to the international market. In March 2017, it was announced that China could deliver 300 Wing Loong II to Saudi Arabia. On January 5, 2021, AVIC announced it had delivered the 50th Wing Loong II to an unspecified customer.
On January 27, 2026, the Chinese Coast Guard publicly confirmed its operational use of the Wing Loong II (WL-2) unmanned aerial system for routine maritime patrols, marking the first official acknowledgment of this platform’s deployment outside the People’s Liberation Army. The announcement, made via the Defense Innovation Review’s X (formerly Twitter) account, follows the WL-2’s observed participation in the high-profile “Justice Mission 2025” exercises held in December 2025 in waters surrounding Taiwan. These joint drills involved multiple Chinese military and security elements and highlighted the WL-2’s growing utility in gray-zone operations. Its integration into coast guard missions underscores the drone’s dual-use versatility in ISR, maritime domain awareness, and enforcement roles within contested littoral zones.
Wing Loong 2 variants:
- Wing Loong 1: First version of the Wing Loong family with a payload of 200 kg and a maximum speed of 200 km.
Technical Data
| Design |
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The design of the Wing Loong II UAV MALE is based on the Wing Loong I, but it is longer and higher. It has 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, which facilitates safe take-off and landing. Each wing incorporates three underwing hardpoints able to carry bombs, rockets or air-to-surface missiles. A satellite communications antenna is mounted on the bulge at the top front surface of the fuselage, offering data transmission between the UAV and the ground control station. The Wing Loong II has a length of 11 meters, a wingspan of 20.5 meters, and a height of 4.1 m.
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| Air Mobility |
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The Wing Loong II MALE UAV is powered by a turbocharged engine driving a three-bladed propeller mounted at the rear section. It can fly for 20 hours and has a maximum speed of 370 km per hour. The Wing Loong II has an operational radius of 1,500 km and that it is equipped with a satellite communications system.
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| Payloads Equipment |
| The Wing Loong II UAV MALE has a maximum payload capacity of 400 kg. It can carry up to 12 laser-guided bombs or missiles, weighing up to 480 kilograms. The Wing Loong 1 can carry only two bombs or missiles with a combined weight of 100 kg. At the Zhuhai Air Show 2016, the Wing Loong II was shown with various types of bombs and missiles, including the FT-9/50 50 kg bomb, the GB3 250 kg laser-guided bomb, the TL-10 bomb, and more. 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. |
| Combat use |
| The Wing Loong II MALE UAV is developed primarily for the export market and intended for surveillance and aerial reconnaissance missions. It can be fitted with a variety of weapons to perform combat and strike missions. The Wing Loong UAV is remotely controlled by one operator from the mobile ground control station using the consoles. The control station receives payload information from the UAV via a data communications link and sends back command and control, as well as mission planning data to the air vehicle. |
Specifications
| Type | Service ceiling |
| Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance, armed drone | 9,900 m |
| Country users | Weight |
| China, Saudi Arabia | 4,200 kg take-off |
| Designer Country | Speed |
| China | 370 km/h |
| Payloads equipment | Endurance |
| GPS communication system, electro-optical pod with day light and infrared cameras and sensors. It can be armed with bombs, rockets or air-to-surface missiles. | 32 hours |
| Operator | Dimensions |
| 1 | Length: 11.0 m; Wingspan: 20.5 m; Height: 4.1 m |
Details View
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Pictures - Video
