[1] Designed and developed by the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI), a division of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC),[2][3] the Pterodactyl I bears a distinct similarity in appearance to the Predator/Reaper family of drones developed by the United States.

[3][4] The drone is capable of being fitted with a variety of sensors, including a forward looking infrared turret and synthetic aperture radar.

[2] The aircraft has been approved for export by Chinese authorities; the Pterodactyl I was evaluated by Pakistan, but was not selected for procurement.

Most of the strikes, which targeted stationing points and moving vehicles, were carried out by Wing Loong UCAVs leaving 18 militants killed.

[9][10][11] There is contradictory reporting whether Chinese-made Chengdu Pterodactyl I drones operated by United Arab Emirates have supported the advance of the Ethiopian army and its allies into Tigray.