Chengdu Xianglong

The Chengdu Xianglong 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.

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. But unlike the Global Hawk, the Xianglong does not possess global operation capability.

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

References

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