Currently, the nature of warfare is rapidly evolving toward intelligentization, with advanced technologies being widely applied in the military domain. New-domain, high-quality combat forces have become the strategic focal point for major powers' competition and the key to securing future victories. At the 15th China Airshow, China showcased its independently developed aviation equipment and technological projects in a comprehensive and systematic manner, including the stunning debut of an unmanned aerial reconnaissance and strike system.

Since the Wing Loong-1 drone made its debut at the China Airshow in 2012, the "Wing Loong" family has undergone 12 years of evolution, ushering in a new member and a new phase. At this year's airshow, the "Wing Loong" and "Cloud Shadow" families came together, showcasing a comprehensive lineup of medium-to-large unmanned aerial systems—including the Wing Loong-6 and Wing Loong-X—as well as smaller and medium-sized drones from the Cloud Shadow series. Covering a wide range of payloads—from 10 kilograms to 6 tons—the "high, medium, and low"—"large, medium, and small"—integrated full-scenario series exemplifies the significant breakthroughs achieved by China's national UAV team in advancing critical technological innovations across multiple domains, developing a diversified product portfolio, and expanding operational applications across various combat scenarios.

The drone combat force welcomes a brand-new showcase.

Currently, the nature of warfare is rapidly evolving toward智能化 (intelligentization), with advanced technologies being widely applied in the military domain. New-domain, high-quality combat forces have become the strategic focal point for major powers' competition and the key to securing future victories. At the 15th China Airshow, China showcased its independently developed aviation equipment and technological projects in a comprehensive and systematic manner, including the stunning debut of an unmanned aerial reconnaissance and strike system.

In line with the evolving trends in international warfare environments and addressing the demands of large-scale, real-world operational applications, the Wing Loong-6 UAV has made a "hardcore" debut. This drone boasts remarkable advantages such as flexible deployment, agile support, rapid response capabilities, and high cost-effectiveness. It enables routine deployment at a relatively low acquisition and operational cost, ensuring that, even under conditions of intense combat, drones remain both affordable and sustainable to operate. The Wing Loong-6 UAV is equipped with the ability to swiftly deploy and rapidly launch operations across diverse and challenging terrains and field environments. By integrating various reconnaissance systems and weapon payloads, it can carry out critical missions such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes. Additionally, it provides versatile tasking capabilities, including area search combined with time-sensitive targeting, close air support, target guidance, precision firepower engagement, and post-strike damage assessment—offering vital support for sustained combat operations.

Wing Loong-6 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

In response to the significant demand for real-time intelligence acquisition, the Yunying-350 UAV has been deployed with precision. This aircraft has already entered mass production and has been delivered to customers. The Yunying-350 UAV boasts remarkable advantages, including rapid deployment from simple operational sites, swift sortie capabilities, and short-distance takeoff and landing. It can operate both as a standalone platform or be integrated into expendable cluster systems. Equipped with onboard electro-optical and infrared sensors, the UAV is capable of conducting persistent, pinpoint intelligence reconnaissance missions, providing real-time intelligence support to command centers and delivering precise correction data to fire units, thereby enhancing strike accuracy. Additionally, it can engage time-sensitive targets using its onboard small-sized, high-precision guided munitions. With its extended loitering capability, the UAV can also perform post-strike damage assessment, offering robust support for sustained and follow-up strikes. Ultimately, this enables command centers to maintain continuous situational awareness on the battlefield, facilitating ongoing control over the operational environment.

Yunying-350 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

In response to the operational demands of long-range, real-world combat scenarios, the Wing Loong-X unmanned aerial vehicle makes a powerful debut. This aircraft innovatively integrates the latest advancements in today's drone technology while fully leveraging the proven technologies and extensive combat experience of the Wing Loong series. It represents the pinnacle of medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV systems, placing it at an internationally advanced level.

The Wing Loong-X UAV combines numerous advantages, including long endurance, heavy payload capacity, and versatile mission capabilities. It boasts fully independent intellectual property rights and demonstrates outstanding competitiveness, making it a cutting-edge solution in the field. Currently, the aircraft has entered routine test flights and operational trials. Equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, the Wing Loong-X can perform diverse combat missions such as all-domain reconnaissance and strike operations, cross-domain support and collaborative engagements, counter-environmental warfare tasks, and emergency rescue missions. At this airshow, the Wing Loong-X UAV was showcased for the first time in an integrated anti-submarine configuration, featuring specialized payloads including sonar buoy pods, torpedoes, air-to-air missiles, and air-to-surface missiles. Its comprehensive anti-submarine capabilities provide critical support for safeguarding maritime security, enabling it to carry out tasks such as wide-area maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, integrated submarine detection and attack operations, long-range patrol and anti-submarine warfare, and sustained containment and anti-submarine defense of key strategic areas. Moreover, the UAV is designed to seamlessly integrate into broader operational systems, significantly expanding its multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, and strike capabilities—from traditional ground-based operations to full coverage across air, surface, and underwater domains.

Wing Dragon-X Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Supported by the integrated ground command and control system and the universal integrated support system, in real combat scenarios, the "Wing Loong" and "Cloud Shadow" UAVs have achieved mixed formations and flexible configurations across different aircraft models. This capability enables the establishment of a comprehensive "large, medium, and small," as well as "high, medium, and low" operational framework, providing tailored solutions for engagements of varying intensity and complexity. Through systematic operational approaches, these systems deliver synergistic effects where "1 + 1 > 2," thereby significantly enhancing overall combat effectiveness. Meanwhile, backed by cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and collaborative control, UAVs are increasingly integrated into the broader operational ecosystem. They work closely with other combat forces to enable cross-domain support and multi-force coordinated strikes, substantially boosting overall combat efficiency and operational prowess.