China's newly-developed reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial system Wing Loong II hit five targets in succession with five different types of missiles in a single sortie, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) announced on 31 December. The UAS has conducted firing tests with eight types of missiles and dozens of bombs so far, with a hit rate of 100 percent.
Completing its maiden flight in northwestern China on 27 February this year, Wing Loong II has been undergoing flight tests to verify the UAS platform, payload, weapons and ground control station.
Developed primarily for the export market and is intended for surveillance and aerial reconnaissance missions, the Wing Loong II is an improved version of the Wing Loong 1 UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in the category of MALE (Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance). AVIC unveiled the UAV's concept at the Aviation Expo China in Beijing in September 2015 and exhibited the first prototype at Airshow China exhibition, held in Zhuhai from 1-6 November 2016. The Wing Loong II has a maximum payload capacity of 400 kg and able to carry up to 12 laser-guided bombs or missiles.
