China Successfully Tests Large Multipurpose New Generation UAV (Photos)South Front

Beijing has successfully tested the Pterodactyl II UAV, capable of performing reconnaissance and attack missions.

The Pterodactyl II unmanned aerial vehicle (Photo: tn8.tv)

China has successfully tested a multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the new generation, the Wing Loong II, also known as the Pterodactyl II. As the Phoenix TV-channel reported on Tuesday, the drone, whose wingspan is over 20 meters, performed its maiden flight in a mountainous region in the northwestern part of the country on Monday. The UAV stayed aloft for about an hour.

“China has become the second country after the United States, capable to develop UAVs of this type,” chief designer of the new drone, Li Idun, said.

The wingspan (20.5 meters) and the length (11 meters) make the Chinese drone comparable with the US MQ-9 Reaper. It can be equipped with air weapons, which are designed to be placed on its underwing pylons.

The Pterodactyl II is able to fly at a height up to 9,000 meters and stay in the air without refueling for 20 hours, moving at a speed of up to 370 kilometers per hour. Its take-off weight is of 4.2 tons.

Reportedly, foreign buyers had showed serious interest in placing orders for purchase of the drone before the start of its tests. According to experts, the Chinese UAV is expected to be much cheaper than its western analogues.