Chengdu Xianglong

This page refers to the V-tailed UAV referred to as "Soaring Dragon". For the joined-wing HALE UAV, see Guizhou Soar Eagle

The Chengdu Xianglong (simplified Chinese: 翔龙; pinyin: xiàng lóng; literally "soaring dragon") is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) concept. A model of the Xianglong was unveiled during the Air Show China 2006 by Chengdu Aircraft, according to Sino Defense Today.

Xianglong is equipped with a jet engine mounted on top of the fuselage between the V-shape tail wings. According to Chinese media reports, Xianglong has a normal take-off weight of 7,500 kg and a mission payload of 650 kg. The UAV has a cruise speed of 750 km/h and a maximum range of 7,000 km. According to information disclosed on Zhuhai Airshow, the UAV has a wingspan of 25 meters, 5.4 meters in height and 14.3 meters in length.^[1]

The UAV appears to be a high-altitude, long-duration UAV for strategic reconnaissance, similar in size and arrangement to the U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk.^{[citation needed]} But unlike the Global Hawk, the Xianglong does not possess global operation capability. With the deployment of such a long-range, high-altitude strategic reconnaissance UAV or any similar type of reconnaissance aircraft that covers a wide area, more data capacity or channels will be freed up for smaller tactical reconnaissance UAVs.

The Xianglong completed its high-speed taxing test in October 2008, and the maiden flight was expected to take place in early 2009.

References

1. ^ "Xianglong UAV Dimenssion". AirForceWorld.com. http://airforceworld.com/pla/english/Xianglong-UAV-china.html. Retrieved 2 July 2011. 

• Xianglong Unmanned Reconnaissance Aerial Vehicle sinodefence.com, 20 February 2009.