MQ-9 Reaper vs Wing Loong II
Reaper and Wing Loong II are often compared as armed reconnaissance aircraft. Their broad mission overlap makes the pairing useful, but export equipment, cleared weapons, communications and support packages can differ considerably. Aircraft resemblance does not demonstrate equivalent mission-system performance.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | MQ-9 Reaper | Wing Loong II |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | General Atomics | AVIC/Chengdu |
| Country of origin | USA | China |
| Mission role | Attack / Reconnaissance | Reconnaissance / Strike |
| Year introduced | 2007 | 2017 |
| Length | 11 m | About 11 m (reported) |
| Wingspan | 20 m | About 20.5 m (reported) |
| Height | 3.8 m | 4.1 m |
| Maximum speed | 482 km/h | Up to 370 km/h (reported) |
| Published range | 1,850 km | Mission and communications configuration dependent |
| Endurance | 27 hours | Up to 32 hours (reported; load-dependent) |
| Service ceiling | 15,240 m | 9,000 m |
| Payload | 1,746 kg | About 480 kg external weapons capacity (reported) |
| Weight | 2,223 kg | About 4,200 kg MTOW (reported) |
| Armament | AGM-114 Hellfire, GBU-12/38 JDAM, GBU-49 | BA-7 ATM, FT-9 50kg bomb, LS-6 GPS guided |
Figures below come from the linked DroneStrike profiles and retain their configuration qualifiers. Maximum speed, range, endurance and payload are separate published figures, not a single achievable mission configuration. Range is not necessarily combat radius or datalink reach. Missing information is not zero, and a larger figure does not establish combat effectiveness.
The comparison that matters
Separate the air vehicle from the delivered system. A buyer's ground stations, training, maintenance and actual weapons clearances determine useful capability. This guide does not infer sensor quality, readiness, reliability or purchase cost from public dimensions and maximum payload figures.
Understanding MQ-9 Reaper
Reaper combines persistent surveillance with a substantial cleared weapons capacity. Its larger turboprop airframe supports a different sensor and strike workload from light tactical UAVs, one-way weapons and reconnaissance-only aircraft.
Separate MQ-9A figures from MQ-9B capabilities, and distinguish total payload allowance from a specific cleared weapons and sensor load.
Understanding Wing Loong II
Wing Loong II is a larger armed reconnaissance development than Wing Loong I. Payload options and integration with customer forces are more useful comparison points than treating all Wing Loong aircraft as one type.
Published maximum payload is not a standard combat load, and an export display does not prove that every advertised weapon is fielded by every customer.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named MQ-9 Reaper and Wing Loong II catalog records, not an artificial combination of every advertised upgrade. Values are reproduced with their existing units and qualifications. Where figures describe different missions or payload types, treat them as context rather than calculating an unsupported performance advantage.
A published maximum is not necessarily achievable alongside every other maximum. Endurance may change with equipment, flight or sea conditions and transit requirements; a range figure may describe a different constraint from datalink reach. Unknown specifications remain unknown. For development programs and limited-disclosure systems, an intended capability must stay distinct from a completed trial or operational service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between MQ-9 Reaper and Wing Loong II?
Reaper and Wing Loong II are often compared as armed reconnaissance aircraft. Their broad mission overlap makes the pairing useful, but export equipment, cleared weapons, communications and support packages can differ considerably. Aircraft resemblance does not demonstrate equivalent mission-system performance.
Can the headline specifications establish a winner?
No. The mission, actual configuration, supported force and quality of evidence determine what the figures mean. Maximum speed, endurance and payload alone do not establish combat effectiveness, survivability or equal intelligence collection.
Where can I verify the versions and figures used here?
Follow the MQ-9 Reaper and Wing Loong II profile links for full descriptions, timelines and any listed source references. This guide preserves the catalog's uncertainty labels rather than presenting unpublished or weakly sourced figures as independently verified facts.
Sources and further reading
- MQ-9 Reaper: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- Wing Loong II: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
Specifications are drawn from the linked catalog profiles. Source dates and aircraft configurations may differ; see the individual profiles for their timelines and qualifications.