New drones marketed as 'star products'

The Aviation Industry Corp of China, the country's dominant aircraft manufacturer, is showcasing a range of advanced unmanned combat aircraft at the 55th Paris Air Show.

Several types of armed drones developed by AVIC — including the Wing Loong 1G and Wing Loong 2D — are on display at the event, which opened on Monday in the French capital.

The Wing Loong X and Wing Loong 6, the latest additions to the State-owned defense conglomerate's drone lineup, are being exhibited at the Paris show for the first time.

Measuring 12.2 meters in length with a wingspan of 24 meters, the Wing Loong X is a heavy-duty, long-range unmanned aircraft. It is equipped with optical and infrared sensors, radar and communications systems for surveillance, reconnaissance and combat missions. According to AVIC, the Wing Loong X offers a longer flight range, greater payload capacity, multitasking ability and enhanced operational reliability compared with earlier models in the Wing Loong family. It is also capable of autonomous takeoff, landing and patrol, and can resist strong electromagnetic interference affecting its data link and navigation systems, allowing it to operate in demanding environments.

The Wing Loong 6 is designed to meet global demand for cost-effective combat drone platforms. It is capable of long-endurance flights and can perform missions such as reconnaissance, close-in fire support, target designation, precision strikes and post-strike assessments. The drone can also be adapted for other mission types, according to the company.

AVIC said the Wing Loong 6 offers operational flexibility, easy maintenance, rapid mission readiness and a competitive cost-performance ratio. The aircraft is 7.45 meters long with a wingspan of 13 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 900 kilograms and a payload capacity of up to 200 kg. It can reach speeds of up to 280 kilometers per hour and has a flight ceiling of 8.5 km.

Zhu Qian, a senior AVIC executive and deputy head of the company's delegation to the air show, said the Wing Loong series are "star products" in the global defense market.

"They performed very well in real combat situations, and the experience gained from those operations has informed our new drone development," Zhu said in an interview with China Daily. "Wing Loong drones are popular on the international market and will continue to attract new clients due to their strong performance, proven service record and alignment with the growing trend of unmanned, intelligent warfare."

Du Wenlong, a retired researcher with the People's Liberation Army and a military affairs commentator, said the Wing Loong X is currently the only drone in the world capable of detecting, tracking and attacking submarines.

Unmanned aircraft have superior endurance over suspected submarine zones compared with manned platforms, Du said, enabling users to form an aerial network of Wing Loong X drones to monitor and deter undersea threats.

"This gives them an edge in both efficiency and persistent coverage," he said.