LOONG M9: China Tests Heavy Suicide Drone With Shahed-Like Design and Range

China’s Loong UAV has begun testing its LOONG M9 strike and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle, a delta-wing drone whose design resembles that of the Iranian Shahed and Russian Geran loitering munitions, according to Militarnyi on December 2.

The Ukrainian defense outlet reported that the Chinese company has begun trials of the LOONG M9 “suicide drone,” noting that its overall shape and concept are similar to the long-range one-way attack systems widely used by Russia against Ukrainian cities.

Loong UAV describes the LOONG M9 as “a heavy-payload, long-endurance oil-powered delta-wing unmanned aerial vehicle” intended for military reconnaissance and strike missions, tactical attacks and anti-aircraft target practice.

Technical data published by the manufacturer describes the LOONG M9 as a fuel-powered delta-wing UAV with a wingspan of 2.5 meters and a body length of 3.5 meters, launched from a rocket-assisted catapult for rapid deployment.

Loong UAV lists a payload capacity of 50 kilograms, an empty weight of 62.5 kilograms and a maximum takeoff weight of 200 kilograms, placing it in the heavy tactical category.

The company states that the drone has a cruise speed of 190 kilometers per hour, a maximum speed of 223 kilometers per hour and a stall speed of 144 kilometers per hour, with a maximum flight altitude of 4,500 meters.

A 108-liter fuel tank and fuel consumption of 10–12 liters per hour give a stated maximum range of 1,620 kilometers and endurance of eight to nine hours, parameters comparable to long-range loitering munitions.

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The company says the guidance suite includes dual visible-light tracking, fixed-coordinate strike modes, frequency-hopping communications, multi-band satellite navigation and anti-jamming data links with terminal guidance for 15–70 degree attack angles, giving the LOONG M9 a mission profile similar to Shahed and Geran long-range strike drones.

Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian forces captured an intact Russian-Iranian Shahed-3 suicide drone, allowing analysts to examine its mesh-network control architecture, Chinese-made turbojet engine, and dozens of foreign-sourced electronic components used for long-range strikes.

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