Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
Chengdu Pterodactyl I
Production
2009–
Unit Price (current)
$1.4M↗ 36% inflation · 2015→2025
Original Price
$1.0M (2015)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
23
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$1.4M
Original: $1.0M (2015)
Inflation: +%36
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- UAV ClassMALE
- First Flight2009
- Service Entry Year2011
- Primary Rolesurveillance and aerial reconnaissance
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe4MOD.4
- Length11 m
- Wingspan20 m
- Max Takeoff Weight1,600 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant4MOD.4
- Engine TypeRotax 914
- Number of Engines1
- Electric PropulsionNo
- Propeller / Configurationpusher
◇Performance6MOD.6
- Top Speed280 km/h
- Cruise Speed200 km/h
- Service Ceiling5,000 m
- Range4,000 km
- Endurance20
- Maximum Payload200 kg
◆Payload & Sensors2MOD.2
▤Armament3MOD.3
- ArmedYes
- Weapon Typesbombs and air-to-surface missiles
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
⬢Control & Autonomy1MOD.1
▲Production3MOD.3
- Unit Cost1,000,000 USD
- Operators10
- Variants5
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start2009
- Operational Statusin service & in production
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 2009Production started
- 2014Sale: Saudi Arabia
- 2016Sale: Kazakhstan (2 units)
- 2020Sale: Morocco
17
years in service
12
countries operating
04 / Operators
Chengdu Pterodactyl ISALES3records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 |  Morocco | — | — | — |
| 2016 |  Kazakhstan | 2 | — | — |
| 2014 |  Saudi Arabia | — | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
92RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES23POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES6PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES459PRICE · ALL WEAPONS170PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Operational state of a drone where weapons systems are enabled and ready for engagement.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) radar are airborne radar systems used to detect, track, and image moving or stationary targets on the ground, regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
A communication link between a drone and its control station via satellite relay, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources