China developing long-range loitering munition

Janes conceptualisation of China’s new AR-XX loitering munition under development. (Janes)

A Chinese unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) producer, Aerospace CH UAV Co Ltd, has announced that it is developing a new loitering munition based on the AR-series of air-to-ground missiles.

In an announcement on Weibo on 20 July, the company said the loitering munition is being developed for “super long-range” and will “deliver a number of new functions”.

Aerospace CH UAV Co Ltd is a subsidiary of the 11th Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), which developed and produces the AR-series of lightweight missiles.

The AR-series of missiles are optimised for use by UAVs. The series has four known variants in the weight range of 20, 45, 80, and 100 kg, including the reported and existingAR-3 loitering missile.