RQ-4 Global Hawk vs WZ-8
Overview
The RQ-4 Global Hawk and the WZ-8 are both Military Drones, manufactured by Northrop Grumman and AVIC respectively.
The WZ-8 reaches 3,704 km/h — 5.9x the RQ-4 Global Hawk's 629 km/h. The RQ-4 Global Hawk has an operational range of 22,800 km vs 8,000 km for the WZ-8. The WZ-8 operates at altitudes up to 50,000 m compared to 18,000 m for the RQ-4 Global Hawk.
| American HALE drone, widely deployed in the Iraq War and post-9/11 Afghanistan for surveillance and reconnaissance. | |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Military Drones |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| First flight | 28 February 1998 |
| Year introduced | 2001 |
| Number produced | 40 units |
| Average unit price | $131 million |
| Chinese hypersonic high-altitude reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle, introduced in the late 2010s, used for strategic intelligence gathering and aerial reconnaissance. | |
| Origin country | 🇨🇳 China |
| Category | Military Drones |
| Manufacturer | AVIC |
| First flight | -- |
| Year introduced | 2019 |
| Number produced | N/A |
| Average unit price | -- |
| Wingspan | 39.9 m ◉ |
| Height | -- m |
| Length | 14.5 m ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 629 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 22,800 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | 18,000 m ◉ |
| Max. takeoff weight | 14,628 kg |
| Empty weight | 8,620 kg |
| Wingspan | 6.7 m ◉ |
| Height | 2.2 m |
| Length | 11.5 m ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 3704 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 8,000 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | 50,000 m ◉ |
| Max. takeoff weight | -- kg |
| Empty weight | -- kg |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or WZ-8?
The WZ-8 is faster with a maximum speed of 3,704 km/h compared to the RQ-4 Global Hawk's 629 km/h, a difference of 3,075 km/h.
Which has longer range, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or WZ-8?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk has a longer range at 22,800 km compared to the WZ-8's 8,000 km.
Which can fly higher, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or WZ-8?
The WZ-8 has a higher service ceiling at 50,000 meters (164,042 ft) compared to the RQ-4 Global Hawk's 18,000 meters (59,055 ft).
Which is heavier, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or WZ-8?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 14,628 kg compared to the WZ-8's 0 kg.
Which is larger, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or WZ-8?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is longer at 14.5 meters compared to the WZ-8's 11.5 meters.
Which entered service first, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or WZ-8?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk entered service first in 2001, 18 years before the WZ-8 which entered service in 2019.