Operational history
According to CADI, the Pterodactyl I undergone flight testing and has proven successful, with the flight test program including weapons tests of both bombs and air-to-surface missiles.[2]
A model of the Pterodactyl I was displayed at the 2010 China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition at Zhuhai, the first public acknowledgment of the program;[3][4] however, it was claimed by AVIC that the aircraft had been displayed at the 2008 airshow.[2] The aircraft has been approved for export by Chinese authorities; the Pterodactyl I was evaluated by Pakistan, but was not selected for procurement.[2]
One example of the type was known to have been lost in an accident during 2011.[5]
China National Aero Technology Import & Export Corp is managing exportation of Pterodactyl UAV and 100 exported as of late 2018.[6] An unknown number of Pterodactyl UAVs were purchased by Saudi Arabia in May 2014.[7]
Since 2011, China has also sold the Wing Loong to several countries in Africa and the Middle East, including Nigeria, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, at an estimated $1 million per unit.[8]
Egypt
In March 2017, the Egyptian Air Force launched a number of airstrikes in North Sinai's cities of El Arish, Rafah, and Sheikh Zuweid, as part of the operations conducted by the Egyptian Armed Forces against militants. Most of the strikes, which targeted stationing points and moving vehicles, were carried out by Wing Loong UCAVs leaving 18 militants killed.[9][10][11]
Ethiopia
There is contradictory reporting whether Chinese-made Chengdu Pterodactyl I drones operated by United Arab Emirates have supported the advance of the Ethiopian army and its allies into Tigray.[12][13]
Libya
On 2019, Libyan National Army (LNA) forces, loyal to General Khalifa Haftar used extensively Chinese-made Wing Loong I and II drones supplied by the United Arab Emirates[14] in the Civil War conflict against the Government of National Accord (GNA), The GNA also deployed Turkish drones in its war after receiving 12 Bayraktar TB2s in two batches between May and July 2019, at least half of them have been destroyed during LNA airstrikes using Wing Loong IIs, the second batch delivered in July was to replace the losses of the first.[14][15]
On August 3, 2019, Libyan GNA forces announced the shoot down of a Libyan National Army (LNA) Wing Loong drone over Misrata.[16][17][18]
On 6 August, 2019 A GNA Ilyushin Il-76TD cargo plane is destroyed in the ground on Misrata Airport by a LNA Wing Long drone.[19][20]
On 17 October 2019, a LNA Wing Loong II combat drone is shot down in Misrata by a surface-air missile.[21]
On 27 January 2020, a LNA Wing Loong II combat drone is shot down near Misrata.[22]
On 13 May 2020, a LNA Wing Loong was shot down and recorded by GNA forces.[23]
On 18 May 2020, a LNA Wing Loong was shot down between Zuwara and Aljmail, allegedly by fire from an Italian frigate.[24]
On 24 May 2020, a LNA Wing Loong II combat drone is shot down by friendly fire from LNA Pantsir air defense system over Libya.[25][26]
On 6 June 2020, a LNA Wing Loong was shot down near Sirte by GNA forces.[27]
On 22 October 2020, the remains of a LNA Wing Loong was found in Ash-Shwayrif, Libya.[28]
On 2 August 2021, another LNA Wing Loong wreck was recorded crashed on southwest Bani Walid, Misratah.[29]
Yemen
On 26 December 2016 a Wing Loong UCAV operated by the United Arab Emirates was shot down by Houthi forces in Yemen.[30][31]
In April 2018 they were used in Yemen by the Saudi led Operation Decisive Storm in successfully killing Saleh Ali al-Sammad, a senior Houthi leader by Wing Loong UCAV.[32]
On 19 April 2019, Houthi rebels published a video of the downing and crash site of a United Arab Emirates CAIG Wing Loong acting for Saudi-led intervention over Saada district. It was probably shot down with a R-73 or R-27T missile.[33][34][35]
On 1 December 2019, Houthi forces reported shooting down a Saudi Arabian Wing Loong drone over Yemen,[36] showing the wreckage of the drone later.[37] Another Wing Loong was reported shot down ten days later.[38] Houthi media published pictures of the drone wreckage.[39][40]
On 20 May 2021, Houthi fighters shot down another a Saudi Arabian Wing Loong I drone in Najran region.[41] Displaying photos and a video of the crash site.[42]
On 13 September 2021, Houthi media announced the downing of a Saudi Coalition Wing Loong drone in Kataf area, Saada region, displaying footage of the shootdown.[43]
In January 2021, Houthi forces shot down two UAE Operated Wing Loong drones in Shabwa province.[44][45]
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