An updated model of China's Rainbow-4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has completed its maiden flight, its developer China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASTC) announced on Wednesday.   

The UAV, named "Caihong," or "Rainbow" in English, is domestically designed and manufactured by a research team from the Eleventh Academy Aerospace Rainbow UAV Co., Ltd under the CASTC.

During Wednesday's flight, the UAV completed tests including autonomous takeoff and landing, waypoint flight, full load transportation, flight range and endurance, and maximum ceiling, said the CASTC.

Equipped with China's self-developed heavy fuel engine, the new model is an upgraded version of the Rainbow-4 UAV, and is capable of flying higher for longer and safer trips, said Shi Wen, chief engineer of the Rainbow UAV program.

The load capacity of the new UAV has been increased by 30 to 50 percent for a wider range of operations, said Shi, adding that it will better function for high resolution Earth observation, mapping, communication, aerial geophysical exploration, environmental monitoring and forest fire prevention.