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UAV · MALE UAV/UCAV

Wing Loong I

Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG) / AVIC · China

Chinese MALE reconnaissance and strike UAV developed by AVIC's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, widely exported and operationally proven in multiple conflicts. Export name Pterodactyl I (Yilong-1 / GJ-1).

CountryChina
SubcategoryFixed-wing
SubtypeMALE UAV/UCAV
RoleStrike/ISR
ClassMALE
ClassificationMALE UAV / UCAV
MissionISR and precision strike
DatalinkLine-of-sight and SATCOM
VariantsPterodactyl I, WJ-1, GJ-1, Wing Loong I-D, Wing Loong 1E
Notable partnersAVIC, Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI)
MTOW (kg)1100
OperatorsChina, Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Serbia, Kazakhstan
Frame typeFixed-wing
Length (m)9.05
PropulsionPiston
Range (km)4000
Wingspan (m)14
Combat-provenYes
Export statusWidely exported
Launch methodRunway takeoff
Autonomy levelSemi-autonomous
Endurance (min)1200
Recovery methodRunway landing
Year introduced2010
Max payload (kg)200
Max speed (km/h)280
Standard sensorsEO/IR targeting pod; SAR (some variants)
Production statusIn production
Notable engagementsStrikes in Libya and by Saudi/UAE forces in Yemen
Service ceiling (m)5000
Conflicts deployed inLibyan Civil War, Yemen, Nigeria counter-insurgency
Review-stage catalogue data — specs corroborated from manufacturer and secondary sources; not for procurement decisions.