Footage shows the home-grown "Rainbow 5" drone lands after its maiden flight in China's Gansu province. (China Central Television)
(ECNS) - China's home-grown drone, the Rainbow 5, has successfully completed its maiden flight in Northwest China's Gansu province, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.
The drone, twice the size of other unmanned aerial vehicles developed by China in the past, also took the lead internationally, CCTV said.
The Rainbow 5 started its trial flight early in the morning to minimize influences over civil flights. It landed steadily after about 20 minutes of flying, and completed the scheduled procedures before pulling up.
Chief designer Ou Zhouming says he is very satisfied with the trial flight.
The flagship drone has a maximum takeoff weight of three tons, a maximum payload of 900 kilograms, and an endurance of over 30 hours. Made of composite materials, it has a wingspan of 20 meters and is designed to perform tasks of air reconnaissance and strikes.
