China's WZ-9 Divine Eagle: A New Exploration Frontier in the South China Sea

 

WZ-9 Divine Eagle

China has deployed its most advanced long-range reconnaissance drone, the WZ-9 Divine Eagle, in the South China Sea.

This move significantly enhances China's intelligence capabilities in the region. Satellite images have confirmed the drone's presence at Ledong Air Base on Hainan Island, a key strategic location.

The deployment of the WZ-9 poses a serious challenge to U.S. air superiority, as this aircraft is specifically designed to track and counter stealth technologies. The deployment of the WZ-9 Divne Eagle is in line with China's Restricted Access/Zone Lockdown (A2/AD) strategy aimed at strengthening control over the South China Sea.

The WZ-9 Divine Eagle is a high—altitude, long-range (HALE) a drone for large-scale reconnaissance operations. 

Its main features include:

Wingspan: Highly elongated wings, measuring about 147 feet (45 meters) long, provide superior lift and endurance, allowing for longer flights.

Length : The total length of the aircraft is just under 50 feet (15 meters), which provides a compact yet efficient design for optimized aerodynamics.

Altitude: Capable of operating at extreme altitudes up to 82,000 feet (25,000 meters), providing a wide surveillance area beyond the reach of most conventional air defense systems.

Flight duration: The WZ-9, equipped with equipment for long-duration missions, can stay in the air for up to 35 hours, allowing for continuous intelligence gathering operations.

Radar Range: Advanced radar systems with impressive detection range are capable of tracking targets up to 310 miles (500 km) away, providing real-time situational awareness.

Propulsion system: Equipped with a single jet engine mounted between two vertical tail units, the aircraft achieves high-altitude performance and sustained operational efficiency.

Radar systems: It is reported that the drone is equipped with large side-view radars (SLAR) located in each fuselage, which provides improved ground and aerial tracking. It also integrates Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Moving Target Indicator (MTI) imaging capabilities to identify and track stealth aircraft, warships, and submarines.

Its dual-body design includes radar domes housing state-of-the-art tracking systems, making it highly effective at detecting low-profile aircraft, warships, and submarines at long distances.