The Harbin BZK-005 (Chang Ying / Long Eagle) is a Chinese medium/high-altitude long-endurance reconnaissance UAV developed by BUAA and HAIG. It performs strategic ISR and maritime surveillance for the PLA Navy and Air Force, with endurance up to ~40 hours.
| Country | China |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Fixed-wing |
| Subtype | MALE reconnaissance UAV |
| Role | Long-endurance reconnaissance |
| Classification | MALE reconnaissance UAV |
| Mission | Strategic ISR, Maritime surveillance |
| Datalink | Line-of-sight and SATCOM |
| Variants | BZK-005 (recon); BZK-005C (recon/strike); BZK-005E (export) |
| MTOW (kg) | 1200 |
| Operators | PLA Navy; PLA Air Force |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Propulsion | Piston engine, pusher propeller |
| Range (km) | 2400 |
| Wingspan (m) | 18 |
| Combat-proven | No |
| Export status | Export variant (BZK-005E) marketed |
| Launch method | Runway takeoff |
| Autonomy level | Remotely piloted with autonomous waypoint flight |
| Endurance (min) | 2400 |
| Recovery method | Runway landing |
| Year introduced | 2006 |
| Max payload (kg) | 150 |
| Max speed (km/h) | 170 |
| Standard sensors | EO/IR sensor turret, SATCOM datalink antenna |
| Production status | In service |
| Notable engagements | Frequent surveillance flights in East/South China Sea and around Taiwan/Japan ADIZ |
| Service ceiling (m) | 8000 |
| Airframe / lift type | Fixed-wing |
| Control / autonomy level | RC line-of-sight – BVLOS, Semi-autonomous (human-on-the-loop), Waypoint / GPS-guided |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | ICE – petrol |
| Range / endurance | Long endurance (>24 hrs) |
| Signature / detectability | GNSS-dependent, RCS – large, RF-emitting |
| Speed regime | High (150–400 km/h) |
| Threat vector | Surveillance / reconnaissance |
| Weight / class | Class III – MALE (>600 kg), FAA >25 kg (Part 137 / waiver) |