China's domestically developed "Qingqibing" small and medium-sized solar-powered drone completed its maiden flight on November 11, according to the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The drone is a commercial-grade, all-electric aircraft powered solely by solar energy. It is 3.2 meters long and has an 8-meter wingspan, with a maximum designed endurance of 30 hours.

It is expected to be used for long-distance pipeline inspection, inspection of major water conservancy facilities, land surveying and natural resource surveys, as well as rapid disaster-area inspection and large-area monitoring.