China conducts first flight of CH-7 long-endurance stealth UAV

China’s latest long-endurance stealth unmanned aerial vehicle, the CH-7, has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking another step in Beijing’s expanding portfolio of autonomous military systems,  according to a report by the South China Morning Post.

The newspaper said the CH-7 combines long endurance, stealth characteristics and relatively high cruising speed, allowing it to operate effectively in complex environments for missions such as ground surveillance, data relay and battlefield communications. The aircraft will now enter a further testing phase, including verification of its flight performance envelope and validation of payload functions.

The CH-7 is part of the CH series developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, a subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, whose drones are among China’s best-selling unmanned systems internationally. The CH-7 was first unveiled to the public in 2018, when a full-scale model appeared at the Zhuhai air show amid speculation that it could serve as a long-range reconnaissance and strike platform. A real prototype was later displayed at last year’s air show.

Chinese officials now say the current version is intended solely for reconnaissance. In comments to state broadcaster CCTV in May, one of the aircraft’s designers, Fang Shuai, described the CH-7 as a high-speed reconnaissance drone featuring a flying-wing configuration that integrates the wing and fuselage to maximise stealth without sacrificing aerodynamic performance. The design places engine air intakes above the fuselage, while the exhaust nozzles are partially concealed to reduce radar and infrared signatures.

Recent design changes have significantly altered the aircraft’s specifications. Its wingspan has grown from 22 metres to 27.3 metres, while maximum take-off weight has been reduced from 13 tonnes to about 8 tonnes. The CH-7 now cruises at around Mach 0.5, has a service ceiling of roughly 16,000 metres, and can remain airborne for up to 16 hours. Analysts estimate its reconnaissance radius exceeds 2,000 kilometres.

Designers have said the removal of an internal weapons bay and other refinements were aimed at enabling covert operations in high-risk areas, with one comparing its stealth performance to the US RQ-180 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.

The SCMP noted that the CH-7 joins a growing lineup of new Chinese unmanned platforms, including the large “Jiu Tian” drone carrier, which also recently completed its maiden flight, underscoring China’s accelerating push into advanced uncrewed warfare systems.

By Tamilla Hasanova