Image of new Chinese MALE/HALE UAV emerges, likely CASIC WJ-700 prototype

摘要

A hitherto unseen image of what appears to be a new indigenously developed, medium/ high-altitude long-endurance (MALE/HALE)-class gas turbine powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been circulating on Chinese social media from mid-August. Although partially obscured by low ambient illumination, the uncredited image nevertheless offers a clear port side rear view of the air vehicle, showing its key airframe design features, which strongly resembles the general appearance of the WJ-700 MALE/HALE armed reconnaissance UAV concept model unveiled by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) at the 2018 iteration of Airshow China in Zhuhai.