China Tests Its First Domestic Unmanned Helicopter

China has begun testing its domestically developed unmanned helicopter AR500C. This unmanned helicopter, designed for high-altitude operations, will enable China in the future to use drones to patrol its borders with India.

The Chinese state company AVIC (China Aviation Industry Corporation) developed the AR500C drone. The UAV made its first flight at Jiangxi Province. Tests included several types of manoeuvres, including flight and movement in the horizontal and vertical levels.

The developers claim that the practical ceiling of the AR500C drone is 6700 meters. Also, the drone can stay in the air for up to five hours. It has a top speed of 170 km / h and a maximum takeoff weight of 500 kg.

Fang Yonghong, the technology director at AVIC's helicopter branch, said that they utilised advanced aerodynamic design for the rotors. Additionally, they used the most advanced engine, since the power of the engine will significantly drop on plateaus.

Mainly, the purpose of the unmanned helicopter is reconnaissance and transfer communications. Furthermore, when equipped with additional equipment, the helicopter can perform a variety of tasks. It can conduct electronic warfare tasks, hit ground targets, monitor nuclear and chemical contamination, and transport cargo.

When comparing it to traditional fixed-wing drones, a drone helicopter does not need a large airstrip with long runways. This makes it more flexible to deploy.

The test flight occurred at a time of heightened borders tensions between China and India. The situation escalated after the Chinese forces strengthened border control measures. China's reaction came in response to the construction of defence facilities in India in the Galvan Valley region.

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