The GJ-2 unmanned aerial vehicle can carry up to 12 bombs or missiles, and is capable of conducting combat and reconnaissance operations at a maximum range of 1,500 kilometers
The Chinese Air Force has unveiled one of its armed reconnaissance drone units, which is based in southwest China. According to sources, this unit is critical for border protection and counter-terrorism operations.
According to the investigation, the revelation came after an armed reconnaissance drone attempted to fly from a Chinese PA base in the southwest Chinese desert during a training flight. In it, the drone practiced reconnaissance and attack at a long range of more than 1,000 kilometers.
The Chinese Air Force has also publicly displayed the GJ-2 medium-altitude, long-range armed reconnaissance drone on previous occasions.
The Chinese Aviation Industry Corporation designed and produced the GJ-2 military unmanned aerial vehicle independently. In fact, it is a military version of the well-known Wing Loong II drone, which was intended specifically for the Chinese Air Force.
The drone is equipped with small precision air-to-ground attack weapons and electronic reconnaissance devices.
A Chinese military analyst told the Global Times that deploying drones in desert areas is more cost-effective than deploying the same drones for missions such as border patrol and counter-terrorism.
The Chinese PA uses drones in various parts of the country. According to reports from Taiwan’s defense authorities, six different types of drones were detected near the eastern part of the country in September.
China also recently unveiled the country’s long-awaited suicide drone, conducting real-time drills. This new UAV comes as the Chinese response to the Americans’ Switchblade kamikaze drones.
Other than that though, Wing Loong II and GJ-2 have been spotted again in the past in the Xinjiang region. Before the unit arrived, satellite images revealed that several armed drones were in hangars at Malan Air Base.
The GJ-2 belongs to the medium-altitude, long-range UAV category and was developed and produced by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
The GJ-2 comes with a redesigned fuselage, modernized aerial systems and optimized aerodynamic design with greater payload and data capacities.
A turbo engine drives a three-bladed propeller at the back of the drone, enabling the GJ-2 to reach a top speed of 370 km/h and perform missions of up to 32 hours.
Finally, the drone is equipped with a satellite communication system, has an operational range of 1,500 kilometers and can be armed with up to 122 bombs or laser navigation missiles.
