China's domestically developed 'Jiutian' drone completes maiden flight

China's domestically developed large Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) named "Jiutian" completed its maiden flight on Thursday, in Pucheng, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. 

This general-purpose drone, with a length of 16.35 meters and a wingspan of 25 meters, has a maximum takeoff weight of 16 tonnes and can carry a payload of up to 6,000 kilograms.

The UAV can remain airborne for up to 12 hours and has a ferry range of 7,000 kilometers. Designed with a high operational ceiling, a wide speed range and short takeoff and landing performance, the drone is equipped to perform a variety of civilian missions that require heavy payload capacity and high operational flexibility, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), its developer.

Its modular payload system enables a range of roles, including precise delivery of heavy cargo to remote areas, emergency communications and disaster relief, as well as geographic surveying and resource mapping.

(With input from Xinhua)