Xianglong (Soaring Dragon) illustration. (Photo : Guizhou Aircraft Corporation)
China has begun production of its Xianglong (or Soaring Dragon) aerial drone that will be used both to designate enemy warship targets for China's anti-ship ballistic missiles and to attack these warships.
Declassified photos show three of the unusually shaped drones being assembled at the Guizhou Aircraft Corporation. Other drones are also certainly in production.
Xianglong, which is a high altitude, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle, is the only aircraft in the world featuring "closed tandem wings" that look like the shape of a diamond when viewed from above.
This unusual joined wing design, which spans 20 meters, increases Xianglong's flight endurance and high altitude performance by reducing wingtip drag. Xianglong has an estimated maximum takeoff weight of some 12 tons.
The main mission of Xianglong is long-range aerial reconnaissance, mostly over water. Because it's a HALE aircraft, Xianglong will inevitably be outfitted with sensors that can designate enemy warships for targeting by Chinese anti-ship ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
Its long endurance and large sensor payload will allow Xianglong to shadow U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. It can also conduct electronic attack with jammers and spoofers.
One source, however, said Xianglong will be armed with missiles and smart bombs along with the Wing Loong (Yilong / Pterodactyl); Sky Saber and Lijian (Sharp Sword), all of which are unmanned combat air vehicles. Xianglong will probably be the first in this list to be armed for combat operations.
In wartime, Xianglong's jammers will jam radars of enemy fighters and missiles. It will also jam communications between enemy bombers, airborne early warning and control aircraft, drones and datalinks between satellites, ships, land based missile launchers and missiles.
