CAIG Wing Loong II

The 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_unmanned_aerial_ground_systems_uk/wing_loong_ii_2_uav_male_armed_drone_data_pictures_video_11906174.html|title=WING LOONG II UAV MALE|website=Army Recognition|date=18 March 2023 }}

File:Wing Loong II fron view.jpg

The Wing Loong II UAV MALE is an enlarged version of the Wing Loong I with a longer body and wider wing span. It has a slender fuselage, V-tail, and ventral fin. The aircraft features retractable landing gear, including two main wheels under the fuselage and one single wheel under the nose. Each wing has three hardpoints under the wings with the capability of carrying bombs, rockets, or air-to-surface missiles. A satellite communications antenna is situated on the top front surface of the fuselage, offering long range data transmission between the UAV and the ground station.

;GJ-2: Chinese military version of Wing Loong II. Distinguished by the lack of winglets. Officially entered service with the PLAAF in November 2018.{{Cite web |title=Airshow China 2018: Wing Loong II armed reconnaissance UAV enters PLAAF service | Jane's 360 |url=https://www.janes.com/article/84349/airshow-china-2018-wing-loong-ii-armed-reconnaissance-uav-enters-plaaf-service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107123734/https://www.janes.com/article/84349/airshow-china-2018-wing-loong-ii-armed-reconnaissance-uav-enters-plaaf-service |archive-date=2018-11-07 |access-date=2020-01-09}}

;Wing Loong II: An upgraded variant of the Wing Loong-1, with provisions for up to twelve air-to-surface missiles.{{cite web|url=http://news.qq.com/a/20161027/031059.htm |title=组图：翼龙-2无人机挂载能力强悍_新闻_腾讯网 |publisher=News.qq.com |access-date=2020-01-19}}{{cite web|author=2016-10-28 13:57:20 来源：观察者网 |url=http://mil.sohu.com/20161028/n471645885.shtml |title="翼龙2"或入列中国空军 "彩虹5"将出口中东-搜狐军事频道 |publisher=Mil.sohu.com |date=2016-10-28 |access-date=2020-01-19}}{{cite web |last1=Wong |first1=Kevin |title=Airshow China 2018: Wing Loong II armed reconnaissance UAV enters PLAAF service |url=https://www.janes.com/article/84349/airshow-china-2018-wing-loong-ii-armed-reconnaissance-uav-enters-plaaf-service |website=IHS Jane's 360 |access-date=7 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107123734/https://www.janes.com/article/84349/airshow-china-2018-wing-loong-ii-armed-reconnaissance-uav-enters-plaaf-service |archive-date=2018-11-07 |location=Zhuhai |date=7 November 2018 |url-status=live }}

;Wing Loong 2H: Civilian, communication, emergency response variant, equipped with synthetic aperture radar and optoelectronic pod which is able to relay and amplify telecommunication signals. The Wing Loong 2H debuted in July 2021 when it was deployed to assist with rescue work in Central China's Henan Province after unprecedented heavy rainfall flooding, providing a stable communication signal that can be directly used by normal phones with areas of over 50 square kilometers.{{Cite web|title=国产翼龙-2H无人机为通信中断区搭建空中移动基站-新华网|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/2021-07/22/c_1127683535.htm|access-date=2021-07-23|website=www.xinhuanet.com}}

;Wing Loong 2D{{Cite web |title=China unveils giant new drone that may point to future of air warfare |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-721977 |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |date=9 November 2022 |language=en-US}}

;Wing Loong 2Y

;Wing Loong 3: Enlarged Wing Loong 2 with longer range and endurance hours.{{cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_november_2022_global_security_army_industry/chinese_defense_aviation_industry_unveils_its_new_wing_loong_3_uav_at_airshow_china_2022.html |title=Chinese defense aviation industry unveils its new Wing Loong 3 UAV at AirShow China 2022 |website=armyrecognition |date=6 November 2022 }}{{cite web|url=https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/china-introduces-large-wing-loong-iii-ucas |title=China Introduces Large Wing Loong III UCAS |website=Aviation Week |date=7 November 2022 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/all-the-air-combat-developments-out-of-chinas-massive-air-show |title=All The Air Combat Developments Out Of China's Massive Air Show |website=The Drive |date=7 November 2022 |first=Joseph |last=Trevithick }} It's the first model in the Wing Loong series that is capable of deploying air-to-air missiles and reach intercontinental range.{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3199039/china-unveils-wing-loong-3-intercontinental-military-drone-self-defence-mechanism-zhuhai-air-show |title=China unveils Wing Loong-3 intercontinental military drone with self-defense mechanism at Zhuhai air show |website=South China Morning Post |date=9 November 2022 |first=Amber |last=Wang }} The drone was fitted with the PL-10E infrared missile, a sonobuoy launcher, and miniature UAV under its wings at the airshow display.

The Wing Loong II was used by the UAE to perform airstrikes against the Government of National Accord (GNA) in the Libyan civil war. The GNA received 12 Bayraktar TB2s in two batches between May and July. At least half of them have been destroyed during Libyan National Army (LNA) airstrikes using Wing Loong IIs; the second batch delivered in July was to replace the losses of the first.{{cite web|title=Chinese drones hunt Turkish drones in Libya air war|date=2019-09-29|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3030823/chinese-drones-hunt-turkish-drones-libya-air-war|website=South China Morning Post|access-date=2019-11-18}}{{cite web |url =https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2019/09/drone-war-in-libya-wing-long-ii-versus-bayraktar-tb2 |title=Drone war in Libya: Wing Loong II versus Bayraktar TB2 |work=African Military |date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923162853/https://www.africanmilitaryblog.com/2019/09/drone-war-in-libya-wing-long-ii-versus-bayraktar-tb2 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aircosmosinternational.com/article/libya-drones-test-laboratory-for-a-new-type-of-air-warfare-2613|title=Libya:Drone test laboratory for a new type of air warfare|work=Air & Cosmos International|date=15 November 2019|access-date=18 March 2021}} As of June 2020, a total of 6 Wing Loong IIs have been reported shot down or lost in Libya, all operated by the LNA.{{cite web|url=https://lostarmour.info/libya/item.php?id=24255|title=CAIG Wing Loong II - All losses by type (modification)|access-date= 9 June 2020}} One was allegedly shot down by a laser: if this was true then it was the first time in history that a laser weapon shot down a combat vehicle.{{cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/turkey_uses_laser_weapon_technology_to_shoot_down_chinese_uav_wing_loong_ii_in_libya.html|title=Turkey uses laser weapon technology to shoot down Chinese UAV Wing Loong II in Libya|website=Army Recognition|first=Alexander|last=Timokhin|access-date=2019-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416181957/https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/turkey_uses_laser_weapon_technology_to_shoot_down_chinese_uav_wing_loong_ii_in_libya.html|archive-date=2020-04-16}}

An investigation led by BBC Africa Eye and BBC Arabic Documentaries revealed that the UAE used Wing Loong II drones to fire Chinese Blue Arrow 7 missiles at a military academy in Libya's capital, Tripoli, in January 2020, killing 26 unarmed cadets. The drone was operated from Libya's Al-Khadim air base which has been under the control of the UAE.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53917791|title=UAE implicated in lethal drone strike in Libya|work=BBC News|date=28 August 2020|access-date=28 August 2020}}

During the 2021 Henan floods, because of the interruption of communication in some areas due to flooding, the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched its emergency disaster-response Chengdu Wing Loong II (Wing Loong 2H) to the corresponding areas, and carried out nearly 6 hours of ground reconnaissance and communication relay services.{{Cite news |url=https://www.guancha.cn/politics/2021_07_22_599536.shtml |title=联系上了！"翼龙无人机抵达你镇上空" |author=观察者网 |publisher=观察者网 |date=2021-07-22 |accessdate=2021-07-22 |language=zh-cn}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/478859163_120952561 |title=驰援河南 "翼龙"化身空中移动"基站" |author=杨晨 |publisher=封面新闻 |date=2021-07-22 |accessdate=2021-07-22 |language=zh-cn}}

In 2023 the Nigerian Air Force seems to have struck "Boko Haram" militants using the Wing Loong II.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdR5BMqZ_m8|title=- YouTube|website=www.youtube.com}}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/oxan-db282059/full/html|title=Nigerian drones may have limited impact in conflicts|date=January 1, 2023|journal=Emerald Expert Briefings|volume=oxan-db|issue=oxan-db|via=Emerald Insight|doi=10.1108/OXAN-DB282059|url-access=subscription}} A video of one of the strikes seems to be available online {{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/301military/status/1668634743020326912|title=Twitter}}

In 2024, Pakistan carried out a strike on militants within the Iranian border, using Wing Loong IIs alongside JF-17s and F-16s {{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/OSPSF/status/1747844266335056066?s=20|title=The STRATCOM Bureau (@OSPSF) on X}}

In June 2024 Italy seized Wing Loong II disguised as wind turbine parts that appear to be in the process of being smuggled to the Libyan National Army.{{cite news |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=3 July 2024 |title=Chinese Wing Loong Drones Disguised As Wind Turbines Seized By Italy |url=https://www.twz.com/air/chinese-wing-loong-drones-disguised-as-wind-turbines-seized-by-italy |work=The War Zone |access-date=7 July 2024}}

Also in 2024, the UAE utilized the Wing Loong II to provide the Rapid Support Forces with aerial intelligence during the Sudanese Civil War. {{cite news |last=Walsh |first=Declan |date=21 September 2024 |title=How a U.S. Ally Uses Aid as a Cover in War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/21/world/africa/uae-sudan-civil-war.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=26 September 2024}}

In December 2024 In the Chinese city of Jingzhou, a large Yilong-2H drone crashed into the Olympic Sports center, incidents have raised questions in China about using "high-tech" drones in densely populated areas.

• {{DZA}} — 24 units on order for the Algerian Air Force; they should be fully operational by 2022.{{Cite web|last=Akramov|date=2021-09-23|title=L'Algérie va renforcer sa flotte de drones|url=https://www.menadefense.net/algerie/lalgerie-va-renforcer-sa-flotte-de-drones/|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Menadefense|language=fr-FR}}{{bsn|date=October 2022}}{{Cite tweet |user=fab_hinz |number=1669679408909565952 |title=Algeria seems to have taken delivery of Chinese Wing Loong II UAVs with one example visible at Ain Oussera Airbase in mid-May.}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.defense-arabic.com/2023/06/25/%D8%A3%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B8%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-wing-loong-2-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B2/|title=أول ظهور رسمي للطائرة المسيرة Wing Loong 2 بالجزائر - موقع الدفاع العربي|date=June 25, 2023}}
• {{flag|China}} — In service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force since 2018, as GJ-2.
• {{flag|Egypt}}{{Cite web|date=2021-02-24|title=IDEX-2021: China Displays Its High-Tech Military Hardware At Abu Dhabi Expo: Watch|url=https://eurasiantimes.com/china-displays-its-high-tech-military-hardware-at-abu-dhabi-expo-idex-2021/|access-date=2021-03-12|website=Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News|language=en-US}}
• {{flag|Libya}} — In service with the Libyan Air Force that supported the Haftar's forces during the Second Libyan Civil War. Supplied by the UAE.
• {{flag|Morocco}} — In service with the Royal Moroccan Air Force{{Cite web|url=https://www.military.africa/2022/10/morocco-acquires-wing-loong-ii-drones-from-china/|title=Morocco acquires Wing Loong II drones from China|first=Darek|last=Liam|date=October 12, 2022}}
• {{flag|Nigeria}} — Used in Boko Haram insurgency.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=Nigeria acquires sophisticated drones capable of fighting Boko Haram, bandits for 26 hours nonstop|url=https://dailynigerian.com/nigeria-acquires-sophisticated-drones-capable-of-fighting-boko-haram-bandits-for-26-hours-nonstop/|access-date=2020-11-10|website=Daily Nigerian|language=en-US}}
• {{flag|Pakistan}} — In October 2018, it was announced that Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation would jointly produce 48 Wing Loong II UAVs for use by the Pakistan Air Force.{{cite web |last1=Dominguez |first1=Gabriel |last2=Bedi |first2=Rahul |url=https://www.janes.com/article/83660/china-pakistan-to-jointly-produce-wing-loong-ii-uavs-says-report |title=China, Pakistan to jointly produce Wing Loong II UAVs, says report |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009185227/https://www.janes.com/article/83660/china-pakistan-to-jointly-produce-wing-loong-ii-uavs-says-report |archive-date=9 October 2018 |location=London, New Delhi |date=9 October 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Chinese Wing Loong II drones sold to Pakistan |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/chinese_wing_loong_ii_drones_sold_to_pakistan.html |website=Army Recognition |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011210408/https://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/chinese_wing_loong_ii_drones_sold_to_pakistan.html |archive-date=2018-10-11 |date=11 October 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Nene |first1=Vidi |title=China and Pakistan to Jointly Produce 48 Wing Loong II Drones |url=https://dronebelow.com/2018/10/11/china-and-pakistan-to-jointly-produce-48-wing-loong-ii-drones/ |website=Drone Below |access-date=13 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011164046/https://dronebelow.com/2018/10/11/china-and-pakistan-to-jointly-produce-48-wing-loong-ii-drones/ |archive-date=2018-10-11 |date=11 October 2018 |url-status=live }}
• {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} — In service with the Royal Saudi Air Force. Used during the Yemeni Civil War against Houthi militias.
• {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} — Launch customer for Wing Loong II in 2017.{{cite web|last1=Biggers|first1=Christopher|title=UAE revealed as Wing Loong II launch customer|url=http://www.janes.com/article/77379/|website=IHS Jane's 360|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180126105348/http://www.janes.com/article/77379/uae-revealed-as-wing-loong-ii-launch-customer|archive-date=26 January 2018|location=Washington, DC|date=26 January 2018}}

== Specifications ==

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Army Recognition

|prime units?=met

|genhide=

|crew=None

|capacity=

|length m=11

|length ft=

|length in=

|length note=

|span m=20.5

|span ft=

|span in=

|span note=

|height m=4.1

|height ft=

|height in=

|height note=

|wing area sqm=

|wing area sqft=

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight lb=

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=

|gross weight lb=

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight kg=4,200

|max takeoff weight lb=

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=

|eng1 type=turboprop

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 shp=

|eng1 note=

|power original=

|more power=

|prop blade number=

|prop name=

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=

|prop dia in=

|prop note=

|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=370

|max speed mph=

|max speed kts=

|max speed note=

|max speed mach=

|cruise speed kmh=200

|cruise speed mph=

|cruise speed kts=

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed kmh=150

|stall speed mph=

|stall speed kts=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed mph=

|never exceed speed kts=

|never exceed speed note=

|range km=

|range miles=

|range nmi=

|range note=

|combat range km=

|combat range miles=

|combat range nmi=

|combat range note=

|ferry range km=

|ferry range miles=

|ferry range nmi=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=32 hours

|ceiling m=9,900

|ceiling ft=

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

|roll rate=

|glide ratio=

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate ftmin=

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude=

|lift to drag=

|wing loading kg/m2=

|wing loading lb/sqft=

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption kg/km=

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|power/mass=

|more performance=

|armament=

Up to 480 kg{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA1Szsicm-0|title = [今日关注]中国彩虹五无人机首飞成功 正式进入量产 | CCTV-4|website = YouTube}}{{cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/china_chinese_unmanned_aerial_ground_systems_uk/wing_loong_ii_2_uav_male_armed_drone_data_pictures_video_11906174.html |title=Wing Loong II UAV Male |website=armyrecognition |date=18 March 2023 }}

• Bombs
• FT-10
• FT-9
• FT-7
• GB7
• GB4
• Missiles
• BRM1
• AKD-10
• BA-7

|guns=

|bombs=480 kg

|rockets=

|missiles=

|hardpoints=6

|hardpoint capacity=

|hardpoint rockets=

|hardpoint missiles=

|hardpoint bombs=

|hardpoint other=

|avionics=

• Air-to-ground radars
• GPS communication system
• Electro-optical pod with day light and infrared cameras and sensors
• Satellite link
• Communications range: >{{convert|1000|km|mi|abbr=on}} with SatCom, ~{{convert|150|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Ground Control Station (GCS){{Cite web|url=https://drones.rusi.org/countries/saudi-arabia/|title = Saudi Arabia}}

}}

{{aircontent|

|related=

|similar aircraft=

• BAE Mantis
• General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
• Stella Tecnologia Atobá XR

|see also=

• Chengdu GJ-1
• Chengdu WZ-10
• Chengdu Wing Loong-3
• CASC Rainbow

|lists=

• List of Chinese aircraft
• List of unmanned aerial vehicles of the People's Republic of China

}}

{{Commons category|Chengdu Wing Loong}}

{{reflist}}

{{PRC UAVs}}

{{Chinese Military Aircraft}}

Category:Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles

Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of China

Category:V-tail aircraft

Pterodactyl II

Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 2017

Category:2010s Chinese attack aircraft

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear

Category:Mid-wing aircraft