BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese-developed small and medium-sized solar-powered drone completed its maiden flight on Wednesday, according to the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The drone is a commercial-grade, all-electric aircraft powered solely by solar energy. It is 3.2 meters long and has an 8-meter wingspan, with a maximum designed endurance of 30 hours.
The development team said the drone was designed to be green, energy-saving, low-cost and suitable for rapid mass production. Its main advantages include long flight time, rapid deployment and easy maintenance and support.
The drone fills a gap in China's commercial market for small and medium-sized all-electric low-altitude aircraft capable of long endurance, lower cost and large-area operations, the developers added.
It is expected to be used for long-distance pipeline inspection, inspection of major water conservancy facilities, land surveying and natural resource surveys, rapid disaster-area inspection, and large-area monitoring. ■
