China’s first ship-borne helicopter drone makes maiden flight
- AR-500B, designed to monitor vast maritime areas, successfully completed half-hour test at facility in Jiangxi
- Lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle could be used by both warships and coastguard vessels in South China and East China seas
China’s first ship-borne helicopter drone – which could be used as a “scout” on warships and play a role in the coastguard – has made its first test flight, according to its developer.
The AR-500B, a lightweight unmanned helicopter, has been designed for wide-area maritime surveillance and identification for both navy and civilian vessels.
Its maiden flight was successfully completed at a test facility in Jiangxi province, in China’s east, in late November, the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute, under the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, said in a statement.
The drone helicopter carried out take-off, hovering, manoeuvring and landing during the half-hour flight, according to the statement.
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It said the drone’s fuel, structure, electronics and avionics systems had been optimised for maritime use so that it could withstand humidity, mould and saltwater. It has also been equipped with guidance and control systems for vertical landing on a ship.
“So overall, the AR-500B drone helicopter will be able to fit into the sea environment and ship-use scenario,” the statement said.