China’s unmanned reconnaissance and strike helicopter tailored for deployment in plateau areas is ready for critical combat testing.
The new multipurpose medium-sized helicopter was displayed on November 27 at an air show in Zhuhai, in southern China, where the next stage of testing was announced by its developer.
The Moyujian was exhibited at the second Asia General Aviation Exhibition (Aero Asia), held from November 27 to 30.
Aero Asia, jointly organised by the German General Aviation Exhibition and Airshow China, was held for the first time in 2023. The event, which takes place every two years, is China’s only general aviation exhibition held with a foreign partner, and the most recent edition featured 174 Chinese and foreign aircraft.
The unmanned helicopter was shown in its camouflage livery on a static display. The display also featured a video of the aircraft’s first successful live-fire target test at high altitude, which its developers said marked progress in its reliability for plateau operations.
Developed by the Chinese private company Sichuan Tengden Technology, the helicopter made its maiden flight in 2019.
The company said the uncrewed vehicle had excellent deployment capabilities on plateaus and at sea, and could be applied to reconnaissance and strike operations, emergency rescue, communications relay and forest fire prevention.
An unmanned helicopter operator from Tengden told state broadcaster CCTV that the Moyujian completed live-fire target tests in July at an altitude exceeding 4,000 metres (13,100 feet) while carrying two missiles to conduct strike tests on both moving and stationary targets.
“The next phase of testing will be a target test mission using satellite communication and beyond visual line of sight control, at an altitude of over 6,000 metres,” the operator added.
According to Tengden’s official website, the Moyujian has a maximum range and flight time of 1,000km (621 miles) and nine hours, respectively. It says the aircraft features a high-altitude take-off and landing capability with a service ceiling of 7,200 metres, specifically tailored for extremely harsh environments.
In the six years since its maiden flight, the Moyujian has completed six years of tests in complex high-altitude terrain, payload and mission systems, marine flight applications and forest fire prevention, and has entered the combat testing phase, according to the company.
The aircraft’s name comes from Zhang Qing, a character in the ancient Chinese novel Water Margin nicknamed Moyujian, or “featherless arrow”, who could kill enemies by throwing stones.
Its action and attack capability at high altitudes and in harsh weather is crucial for operations on China’s highest plateau, the Tibetan Plateau. The area includes the rugged Himalayan border with India, where the altitude typically ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 metres.
Its range and wind resistance also make the helicopter suitable for maritime operations, including wide-area patrols over the ocean, such as in the South China Sea.
Beijing has doubled down on developing unmanned equipment, joining the global race to create drones that can be used for civilian and military purposes. The drive has resulted in landmark achievements for some all-terrain and all-weather equipment.
China showcased new uncrewed equipment at its Victory Day parade on September 3, including submarines, loyal wingmen, drone combat vehicles and robot dogs.
Its Chinook-style heavy-lift unmanned helicopter Boying T1400, which is capable of operating in extreme conditions from the Himalayas to the South China Sea, completed its maiden flight last month.
Beijing also deployed drones to a military airport in the Shigatse region of Tibet in August and September, according to satellite images.
And in October, it set up a high plateau test centre for unmanned equipment in Ali, a prefecture in Tibet also known as Ngari, according to state news agency Xinhua.
The Xinjiang Military Command in January conducted a logistics support exercise at an altitude of 5,300 metres on a plateau in the Karakoram Range, featuring robot dogs and unmanned combat vehicles, another Xinhua report said. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
