Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has unveiled a new variant of Wing Loong series of medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the Paris Air Show 2023, held from 19 to 25 June.
The company presented a 1:10 scale model of the (WL-X) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) with four underwing hardpoints under each mid-mounted wing surface ending in upswept wingtips.
The UCAV features a bulged nose for the provision of satcom, radars, a ventral electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) turret, a V-tail, two canted ventral fins, and a rear-mounted turboprop engine driving a five-bladed propeller, among others. No further information on specifications has been released by the company.
According to Janes’ analysis, the wingspan of WL-X is about 14.5 m and its length is 26.1 m, suggesting a longer fuselage and lower aspect ratio wings compared with that of Wing Loong-10A (WL-10A). The wing features straight wings spanning till mid-section followed by tapering towards the outboard section. The shortening of the wingspan with straight wings till mid-section is suitable to carry heavier payloads.
Photo: A 1:10 scale model of the AVIC Wing Loong-X (WL-X) displayed at the Paris Air Show 2023. (Janes/Sam Wise)
Source: Janes