Top 10 Military Drones of the World in 2024

Since the advent of drones, their role in the modern military field has become increasingly important, capable of performing reconnaissance and ground attack missions, and even acting as wingmen for fighter jets. Below, let us explore ten large and medium-sized military drones together, with no particular ranking order (the numbers only represent serial numbers) ——

10 — French: AAROK

French AAROK Drone

The AAROK is a large unmanned combat aircraft produced by the French defense company TURGIS GAILLARD. With a wingspan of about 22 meters, the AAROK can perform intelligence gathering missions and also carry precision-guided weapons for out-of-theater strikes, close air support, and aerial target interception. Founded in 2011, TURGIS GAILLARD mainly focuses on equipping the C-130 series transport aircraft with modular precision-guided weapon systems. The AAROK drone is a new type of unmanned combat platform launched by TURGIS GAILLARD, officially unveiled in 2023, aiming to become the next generation of French aerial drones.

French ARROK Drone

Endurance: Over 24 hours + Payload capacity: Over 1500 kg

09 — Turkish: AKSUNGUR

Turkish AKSUNGUR Drone

(Note: The text was cut off and the information about the Turkish AKSUNGUR drone is missing. If you can provide the remaining details, I will be happy to translate them for you.)AKSUNGUR is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle produced by TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries), a Turkish defense company. With a wingspan of approximately 24 meters, AKSUNGUR is equipped with two propeller engines and is capable of performing intelligence gathering, communication relay, and aerial strike missions. The AKSUNGUR drone has been delivered to the Turkish Navy for use since 2021. It has a maximum cruising speed of about 250 kilometers per hour and an overall payload capacity of approximately 1900 kilograms. It can carry various precision-guided munitions, aerial bombs, torpedoes, and tactical equipment such as sonar buoys. The main feature of AKSUNGUR is its strong endurance, with a claimed comprehensive endurance of over 50 hours.

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Turkish AKSUNGUR Drone

Endurance: Over 50 hours

Payload capacity: 1900 kg

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08--Turkey: AKSUNGUR

Turkey KIZILELMA Drone

Bayraktar Kızılelma is a jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle produced by Baykar, a major Turkish defense company. The name Kızılelma means "red apple," and its features include the ability to take off and land on ships and a certain level of stealth performance. Kızılelma's main power unit is a jet engine, with a cruising speed claimed to be around 0.6 Mach and a top speed of about 0.9 Mach. Kızılelma has an empty weight of about 1.5 tons, a maximum takeoff weight of about 6 tons, and an operational range of approximately 930 kilometers. It can carry air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and various aerial bombs. It is estimated that Kızılelma has six external weapon mounting points and may have two internal mounting points. In terms of avionics, Kızılelma is equipped with an active electronically scanned array radar and can carry external electronic pods. In terms of combat capabilities, it can be considered a small fighter jet. Kızılelma completed its first flight in 2022 and is expected to be put into use around 2024 or 2025.

Turkish KIZILELMA Drone

Endurance: Over 5 hours

Payload capacity: Over 3000 kg07—Turkey: BAYRAKTAR TB2

Turkey BAYRAKTAR TB2

The Bayraktar TB2 is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle produced by the Turkish company Baykar. It completed its first flight in 2014. The TB2 has a wingspan of about 12 meters and a payload capacity of about 150 kilograms. The main power unit is a two-blade propeller engine. The TB2's top speed is about 220 kilometers per hour, cruising speed is about 130 kilometers per hour, maximum range is around 4000 kilometers, and the remote control range is within 300 kilometers. The TB2 has four hardpoints and can launch various precision-guided weapons and conventional ammunition. It can perform aerial reconnaissance missions and launch attacks from the air. The TB2 is a relatively successful military drone model in the international market, with a total production exceeding 600 units.

Turkey BAYRAKTAR TB2 drone

Endurance: 27 hours

Payload capacity: 700 kilograms

06—Russia: SUKHOI S70/ OKHOTNIK B

Russian OKHOTNIK-B drone

The Sukhoi S70, also known as the Hunter-B, is a heavy unmanned combat aircraft jointly developed by Russia's Sukhoi and Mikoyan companies. It incorporates some technology from the SU-57 fighter. Its main design purpose is to serve as an unmanned wingman for Russia's SU-57 fighter. The Hunter-B made its first flight in 2019 and completed tests of aerial bombs and precision-guided weapons in 2021 and 2022. The Hunter-B has a certain level of stealth performance, with a wingspan of about 20 meters, an estimated maximum takeoff weight of up to 25 tons, a top speed of about 1000 kilometers per hour, and a combat range of about 3000 kilometers. The Hunter-B is estimated to have two internal weapon bays, capable of carrying aerial bombs and guided weapons, with a payload capacity likely within 2 tons.Endurance: Unknown

Load capacity: 2000 kg

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05---France: nEUROn

French nEUROn Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV)

The nEUROn (neuron) UCAV is an unmanned combat aircraft produced by the French Dassault Aviation company. The nEUROn has a wingspan of about 12.5 meters and an empty weight of about 4.9 tons, capable of carrying two guided bombs weighing about 230 kg each. The nEUROn has a certain degree of stealth performance, and its design positioning is an intelligent unmanned combat aircraft with autonomous ground attack capability, which can operate independently or serve as a wingman for manned fighter aircraft. The main participant in the nEUROn project is currently the British BAE Systems, which, through cooperation with Dassault, has applied the design concept and technology of nEUROn to the British TARANIS UCAV project. The TARANIS has a similar appearance and performance indicators to the nEUROn, and the British TARANIS has been integrated into the Tempest (Tempest) sixth-generation fighter project, while the French nEUROn is still in the testing and experimental stage.

French nEUROn Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV)

Endurance: Unknown

Load capacity: 2000 kg

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04---China: WING LONG II

Chinese Wing Loong II Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)The Wing Loong II UAV is an unmanned combat aircraft developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry in China within a few days. It is capable of performing aerial reconnaissance, communication relay, and precision strikes. The Wing Loong II has a wingspan of approximately 20.5 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of about 4.2 tons, and a top speed of around 370 kilometers per hour. There are six pylon points under the wings of the Wing Loong II, which can carry aerial bombs, rockets, and precision-guided weapons. Through the pylon assembly, the Wing Loong II can carry up to 12 air-to-ground guided weapons, forming a relatively powerful firepower suppression effect. China's Wing Loong II completed its first flight in 2017 and has performed prominently in the international market due to its excellent comprehensive performance.

China Wing Loong II UAV

Endurance: 32 hours

Payload capacity: 480 kg

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03--USA: XQ58A VALKYRIE

American XQ-58A UAV

The XQ-58A Valkyrie UAV is an unmanned combat aircraft launched by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions for the US Air Force. The XQ-58A has a wingspan of about 6.7 meters, a top speed of about 1,050 kilometers per hour, and a range of approximately 5,400 kilometers. The XQ-58A has two built-in weapon bays, in addition to which, the wing pylon points of the XQ-58A can also carry ammunition, which can be configured with aerial bombs and some precision-guided weapons, and can also carry a drone as an aerial release platform for other drones. The XQ-58A made its first flight in 2019, and its design purpose is a low-cost unmanned fighter, serving as a wingman for F35 or F22, as a disposable asset, to offset the threats faced by manned fighters in actual combat. In 2023, the XQ-58A completed formation flight tests with the F15E fighter, and currently, the US Marine Corps and the US Navy have also ordered a small number of XQ-58As for tactical testing. In addition to the XQ-58A, models such as the XQ-58B, which are used to target air defense systems, are also under development.

American XQ-58A UAV

Endurance: Unknown

Payload capacity: 540 kg02—United States: MQ-28 Ghost Bat

United States MQ-28 Ghost Bat Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is a multi-role unmanned combat wingman developed by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force, featuring a certain level of stealth performance and intelligent autonomous combat capabilities. The MQ-28 completed its first flight in 2021 and is planned to be put into use between 2024 and 2025. The MQ-28 has a wingspan of about 7.3 meters and a combat range of about 1,700 kilometers. The interior of the MQ-28's nose adopts a modular design, allowing for the replacement of different optoelectronic components and electronic warfare equipment according to different mission scenarios. The MQ-28 can serve as a wingman for the Royal Australian Air Force and can also independently perform tasks such as intelligence gathering, airspace patrol, and air strikes. Currently, the MQ-28 is still in the testing phase, and the Australian side has increased investment to accelerate the formal use of the MQ-28.

United States MQ-28 Ghost Bat Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Endurance: Unknown

Payload capacity: Unknown

01—China: GJ-11

China GJ-11 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

The GJ-11 (Attack 11) is a large stealth unmanned attack aircraft developed by our country. The GJ-11 has a wingspan of about 14.4 meters and features an internal weapons bay design, capable of carrying aerial bombs and precision-guided weapons. The GJ-11 has the combat capability to independently perform various tasks and can also serve as a wingman. The maximum takeoff weight of the GJ-11 is likely to reach the 10-ton class, and its endurance range is estimated to be around 4,000 kilometers. It is an excellent unmanned combat aircraft model. This model is also the fourth true stealth unmanned fighter in the world, following the United States' X-47, France's NEURON, and the United Kingdom's TARANIS.Endurance: Unknown

Load capacity: 2000 kilograms