Drones

China’s Largest Solar UAV Sets Outstanding Record

China’s largest unmanned solar-powered aircraft has recently set a domestic record by reaching an altitude of more than 20,000 meters during a secretive test flight. The Caihong (Rainbow) was developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA), and although developers kept its exact size a secret, it is believed to be about 14 meters long with a 45-meter wingspan, based on earlier prototypes.

Shi Wen, head of unmanned aircraft development at CAAA, said in an exclusive interview with China Daily that the Caihong took off from a northwestern China airport, stayed in the air all day, and landed successfully that night. While the flight reached an important milestone for China’s aerospace industry, the creators told shanghailist.com it will take years of work before the aircraft is ready for real use. In the future, they hope, the Caihong will be able to stay in the air for months, or even years at a time at extremely high altitudes.