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China tests first civilian drone that can fly 24 hours non-stop, fully loaded

The multipurpose UAV is designed to be suitable for missions ranging from sea patrols to delivering emergency supplies in remote areas

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China’s TP200 UAV is designed for long-endurance, high-altitude operations and boasts a range of 3,000km. Photo: Handout
Zhang Tongin Beijing
The first tonne-class long-distance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) suitable for multiple civil purposes to be built to airworthiness standards in China – Yitong UAV System’s TP200 – completed its maiden flight on Sunday.
According to a Science and Technology Daily report on Monday, the TP200 – designed to handle maritime patrols, island supply and land surveying – can stay in the air for 24 hours at its maximum payload, giving it a range of 3,000km (1,860 miles).

The TP200, developed independently by Yitong, could be used for sea patrols or search and rescue operations near shore. It would also be suitable for keeping watch over coastlines and delivering emergency supplies to remote mountains and islands, it said.

Its flexible, modular design means the system can be configured to monitor droughts, fight forest and grassland fires, map land or survey forests and ecology – all in any weather, the report added.

According to the company’s website, the TP200 has a service ceiling of about 7,600 metres (25,000 feet) and a maximum cruise speed of 200km/h. It can take off and land within 300 metres and operate from unpaved runways.

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The fuel‑powered aircraft features two air intakes – one above and one below the rear fuselage – along with a tail propeller and twin connected vertical stabilisers.

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