China Unveils Soaring Dragon UAV, an Exercise in STEM

This full-scale drone design that is an exercise in STEM, from the materials used to the aerodynamics. A video released by the Chinese Air Force shows its WZ-7 jet-powered high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE), reconnaissance unmanned aircraft. The large drone, also known as “Soaring Dragon”, has been in Chinese Air Force service since at least 2019 according to Defence-blog.com. The drone is made out of a large number of composite materials. Its radar cross-sectional area is not large, presumably less than the typical fighter target. The drone’s joined wing allows for a more rigid, less flexible wing than other configurations, with benefits said to include an increased lift-to-drag ratio and less complex flight controls than a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAV with a conventional wing. The last photo shows the Global Observer HALE UAV, for comparison. Watch Soaring Dragon fly here.