Advertisement
China's military weapons
ChinaMilitary

China’s latest stealth endurance drone, CH-7, completes maiden flight

Designer says UAV can quickly penetrate target areas for reconnaissance and rely on stealth to send information from battle front lines

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
22
The CH-7 has completed its maiden flight, although China’s state media says it will undergo further tests. Photo: Handout
Alcott Weiin Beijing
China’s latest long-endurance stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the CH-7, has completed its maiden flight, further expanding Beijing’s rapidly growing arsenal of autonomous weapons.

State broadcaster CCTV said on Monday that China’s new high-altitude, high-speed, long-endurance CH-7 had recently completed its first flight.

The drone offered long endurance, stealth and high cruising speed, meeting the needs of ground observation, data support and communication under complex conditions, the report said.

Advertisement

CCTV said it would undergo further tests, including flight performance envelope verification and payload function validation.

The CH series of UAVs developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is one of China’s bestselling UAVs on the international market.

01:29

China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials

China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials
It was first introduced to the public in 2018, when a full-scale model was displayed at the Zhuhai air show amid speculation it was a long-range reconnaissance and strike UAV. An actual CH-7 was displayed during last year’s Zhuhai air show.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x