China flies new naval UAV variant for the first time
An image of the AR-500CJ VTOL naval UAV during its maiden flight earlier this month. (Photo: AVIC)
China is working on new UAVs for naval use, plus a heavy fuel version of the CH-4 has taken to the air for the first time.
The AR-500CJ, a UAV likely destined for operations aboard People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels, has achieved its maiden flight, AVIC of China announced on its official social media account on 10 August.
The flight – incorporating a take-off, hovering and landing – occurred at Poyang in Jiangxi Province. The aircraft is now ready to commence further flight testing, with a technical evaluation slated for next year.
As a rotary-winged design, it would be able to take off and land from PLAN surface combatants and aircraft carriers if the military eventually adopts it.
In terms of performance specifications, the AR-500CJ
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