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Diplomacy
ChinaMilitary

Lift-off for China’s high-altitude helicopter drone prototype

  • Test flight in Sichuan confirms the Chinese-designed and built AR-500C can ferry a payload of 80kg (176lb) and stay airborne for more than five hours
  • Launch comes amid border stand-off in the Himalayas with India

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China’s AR-500C prototype high-altitude drone helicopter is put through its paces over the weekend. Photo: Weibo
Liu Zhen
China has tested a high-altitude drone helicopter designed for missions on the country’s disputed border with India, according to state media reports.
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A prototype of the AR-500C unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) completed its maiden flight at an airport 4,411 metres (14,450 feet) above sea level in Sichuan province in southwestern China, neighbouring Tibet, on Sunday, the reports said.

During the 15-minute flight, the Chinese-designed and built drone completed a series of tests including climbing, hovering and rotating before steadily landing, its developer, state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic), said on Monday.

The AR-500C is meant to be a reconnaissance and communication hub that can also serve as an electronic jammer, guide weapons fire, and detect nuclear radiation or chemical contamination.

The test flight confirmed that the drone could carry a payload of 80kg (176lbs) and stay aloft for more than five hours. Avic said the drone could deliver cargo to the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau.

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“This means that in a plateau rescue mission it can deliver a day’s supply of life-saving food for more than 30 people in one flight,” chief designer Zeng Guogui said.

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