WZ-7 Soaring Dragon

China's high-altitude long-endurance strategic reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle — a tandem joined-wing design in service with the PLAAF since 2018, and a naval variant for maritime surveillance since 2023.

Overview

The WZ-7 Soaring Dragon (Xianglong) is an unarmed high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed by Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute and manufactured by Guizhou Aircraft under AVIC. Its distinctive tandem joined-wing configuration and single-turbojet engine set it apart from most reconnaissance drones. The WZ-7 entered People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) service in 2018, and a naval variant for the PLA Navy Air Force (PLANAF) was unveiled in 2023. Estimated total fleet strength stands at around 20 airframes, evenly split between the two services.

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