Sky Saker (Chinese Name Rui Ying) carries both a miniature synthetic aperture radar and an electro-optical pod to perform reconnaissance in both the visible light and radar spectra. Sky Saker is a derivative of Wing Loong developed by China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO) mainly intended for export. The United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan were reported to be the first two foreign customers of Pterodactyl I. This had the bulge at the nose tip of the fuselage to house a satellite antenna, and this is the version most widely publicized and actively marketed as a surveillance platform. Pterodactyl I was the second model of the Wing Loong series. The lack of satellite antenna reduced cost and restricted the maximum control range around to 200 km. This first model lacked the bulge at the nose tip of the fuselage due to the lack of a satellite antenna. Pterosaur I, the first of the Wing Loong series, flew its maiden flight in October 2007, and the payload evaluation flight was completed a year later in October 2008. There are six known variants of Wing Loong. The Pterodactyl I’s total payload capacity for sensors and weapons is 200 kilograms (440 lb).

In addition, the aircraft is capable of carrying weapons. The drone is capable of being fitted with a variety of sensors, including a forward looking infrared (FLIR) turret and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The Pterodactyl I bears a distinct similarity in appearance to the Predator/Reaper family of drones developed by the United States. It is also operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force, Egyptian Air Force, United Arab Emirates Air Force, and Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The Wing Loong had its first flight in 2009, and joined the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in 2011.

It is known to carry the BA-7 air-to-ground missile, YZ-212 laser-guided bomb, YZ-102A anti-personnel bomb and 50-kilogram LS-6 miniature guided bomb. Designed for surveillance and aerial reconnaissance platform, the Pterodactyl I is capable of being fitted with air-to-surface weapons for use in an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) role. The Chengdu Pterodactyl I, also known as Wing Loong, is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle ( UAV), developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group of China.

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