communication systems. In addition, the digital communication relay task can be
performed by replacing the modular head electronic task compartment, and it plays a
very high signal-forwarding tower.
The MQ-9A “Reaper” UAV is a reconnaissance/attack drone developed on the
basis of the MQ-1B “Predator”, with the flight speed and the amount of bomb load
greatly improved, shown in Fig. 2a. Its total length is 11 m, the wingspan is 20 m, and
the height is 3.8 m. The maximum takeoff weight is 4760 kg, and the ceiling is
15,000 m. Its maximum flight speed is 460 km/h, and the combat radius is about
5900 km. It can fly continuously for more than 15 h under the status preparing for war.
The main airborne weapons include two GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and four AGM114 “Hellfire” air-to-ground missiles. They can also carry 227 kg of combined direct
attack ammunition and 113.5 kg of small-diameter bombs, which can accurately hit the
target in inclement weather.
The “Wing Loong-I” drone is a multi-purpose UAV with medium-altitude, longrange and long-haul, as well as full autonomous takeoff and landing and flight capabilities, shown in Fig. 2b. It looks like the MQ-9A “Reaper”, and the size of the
fuselage is similar to the MQ-1B “Predator”. Its total length is 9 m, with the wingspan
of 14 m and the height of 2.7 m. The maximum takeoff weight is 1200 kg, and the
ceiling is 5300 m. Its maximum flight speed is 280 km/h, the battery life is 20 h, and
the maximum range is 4000 km. The total payload capacity is 200 kg, and the frontview infrared sensor is about 100 kg. Therefore, each wing can also carry 50 kg of
ammunition to accurately strike the ground targets.
Since 2001, the USA has released eight versions of the unmanned system integrated road map to assist decision makers in the Department of Defense to plan longterm strategies for research and development and procurement of drones and to guide
the industry to carry out research work of drones. In 2009, the “United States Air Force
Unmanned Aerial System Flight Plan 2009-2047” was released, which is an actionable
plan characterized by Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and
(a) MQ-9A "Reaper"
(b) WingLoong-I
Fig. 2. Reconnaissance/attack drones
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K. Qiu et al.
performed by replacing the modular head electronic task compartment, and it plays a
very high signal-forwarding tower.
The MQ-9A “Reaper” UAV is a reconnaissance/attack drone developed on the
basis of the MQ-1B “Predator”, with the flight speed and the amount of bomb load
greatly improved, shown in Fig. 2a. Its total length is 11 m, the wingspan is 20 m, and
the height is 3.8 m. The maximum takeoff weight is 4760 kg, and the ceiling is
15,000 m. Its maximum flight speed is 460 km/h, and the combat radius is about
5900 km. It can fly continuously for more than 15 h under the status preparing for war.
The main airborne weapons include two GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and four AGM114 “Hellfire” air-to-ground missiles. They can also carry 227 kg of combined direct
attack ammunition and 113.5 kg of small-diameter bombs, which can accurately hit the
target in inclement weather.
The “Wing Loong-I” drone is a multi-purpose UAV with medium-altitude, longrange and long-haul, as well as full autonomous takeoff and landing and flight capabilities, shown in Fig. 2b. It looks like the MQ-9A “Reaper”, and the size of the
fuselage is similar to the MQ-1B “Predator”. Its total length is 9 m, with the wingspan
of 14 m and the height of 2.7 m. The maximum takeoff weight is 1200 kg, and the
ceiling is 5300 m. Its maximum flight speed is 280 km/h, the battery life is 20 h, and
the maximum range is 4000 km. The total payload capacity is 200 kg, and the frontview infrared sensor is about 100 kg. Therefore, each wing can also carry 50 kg of
ammunition to accurately strike the ground targets.
Since 2001, the USA has released eight versions of the unmanned system integrated road map to assist decision makers in the Department of Defense to plan longterm strategies for research and development and procurement of drones and to guide
the industry to carry out research work of drones. In 2009, the “United States Air Force
Unmanned Aerial System Flight Plan 2009-2047” was released, which is an actionable
plan characterized by Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and
(a) MQ-9A "Reaper"
(b) WingLoong-I
Fig. 2. Reconnaissance/attack drones
526
K. Qiu et al.