China
2022.09.04 14:12 GMT+8

China's large solar-powered drone completes maiden flight

Updated 2022.09.05 09:16 GMT+8
CGTN

China's large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solely powered by solar energy completed its maiden flight on Saturday, China Media Group reported.

The UAV, named "Qimingxing-50," which means "Morning star-50" in English, was developed by a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

It took off at 5:50 p.m. and flew for 26 minutes before landing smoothly at 6:16 p.m. in northwest China's Yulin City, Shaanxi Province. The drone was in good condition, with all the systems operating normally, marking a complete success of the maiden flight.

China's large solar-powered drone "Qimingxing-50" makes maiden flight in northwest China's Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, September 3, 2022. /CMG

"Qimingxing-50" is the first high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAV developed by AVIC. Such UAVs usually fly at an altitude of 15-20 km with a low speed. It's also the company's first large UAV with double-fuselage layout.

The fully electric-driven drone, like a satellite, can fly at high altitude for a long period of time continuously, powered by clean solar energy. 

It can perform tasks such as high-altitude reconnaissance, forest fire monitoring, atmospheric environment monitoring, geographic mapping and communication relay.

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