| Pterodactyl I 翼龙-1 | |
|---|---|
| Role | MALE UCAV |
| Manufacturer | Chengdu |
| First flight | 2009? |
| Status | Export (2011)[1] |
| Primary user | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
The Chengdu Pterodactyl I (Chinese: 翼龙-1[2]) is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group in the People's Republic of China. Intended for use as a surveillance and aerial reconnaissance platform, the Pterodactyl I is capable of being fitted with air-to-surface weapons for use in an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) role.[1]
Design and development[]
Developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAC), a division of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC),[3][4] the Pterodactyl I bears a distinct similarity in appearance to the Predator/Reaper family of drones developed by the United States.[4][5] The drone is capable of being fitted with a variety of sensors, including a forward looking infrared turret and synthetic aperture radar.[3] In addition, the aircraft is capable of carrying weapons.[5] The Pterodactyl I's total payload capacity for sensors and weapons is 200 kilograms (440 lb).[3]
Operational history[]
According to Chengdu, the Pterodactyl I has been undergoing flight testing and has proven successful, with the flight test program including weapons tests of both bombs and air-to-surface missiles.[3]
A model of the Pterodactyl I was displayed at the 2010 China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition at Zhuhai, the first public acknowledgment of the program;[4][5] however, it was claimed by AVIC that the aircraft had been displayed at the 2008 airshow.[3] The aircraft has been approved for export by Chinese authorities; the Pterodactyl I was evaluated by Pakistan, but was not selected for procurement.[3]
One example of the type was known to have been lost in an accident during 2011.[6]
Specifications[]
General characteristics
- Crew: None (UAV)
- Length: 9.05 m (29 ft 8 in)
- Wingspan: 14 m (45 ft 11 in)
- Height: 2.77 m (9 ft 1 in)
- Gross weight: 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)
- Propellers: 3-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 280 km/h (174 mph; 151 kn)
- Range: 4,000 km (2,485 mi; 2,160 nmi)
- Endurance: 20 hours
- Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,404 ft)
Armament
Avionics
- 100 kilograms (220 lb) capacity for sensors
See also[]
- BAE Mantis
- General Atomics MQ-1 Predator
- List of Chinese aircraft
- List of unmanned aerial vehicles of the People's Republic of China
References[]
- Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wong, Edward. (2013, September 21). "Hacking U.S. Secrets, China Pushes for Drones," The New York Times, p.A1 ff.
- ↑ 19 November 2010, Pterodactyl-1 UAV allowed for export, Sina News (Chinese)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Wall 2010
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Minnick 2010
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Zeitler 2011, p.25.
- ↑ Chinese Predator UAV look-alike crashes
- Bibliography
- Minnick, Wendell (November 24, 2010). "China Developing Armed/Recon UAVs". Defense News. http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=5101322. Retrieved 2011-02-11.
- Wall, Robert (November 17, 2010). "China's Armed Predator". Aviation Week and Space Technology. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:e2c4ebce-729c-4722-b293-b3de048981d3. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- Zeitler, Andreas (February 2011). "Zhuhai 2010". Hersham, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Publishing. ISSN 2041-7470.
The original article can be found at Chengdu Pterodactyl I and the edit history here.