Solar drone pushes limits in near-space

China will test how its largest solar drone performs near-space flight this year, the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics announced on Tuesday.

With a wingspan of more than 40 meters, wider than that of a Boeing 737 passenger plane, the Caihong, or Rainbow, series of drone has just passed its first full-scale test flight, according to Shi Wen, chief engineer of the CAAA drone project.

The drone is the second-largest solar-powered drone in the world, beaten only by a model by NASA, Shi said, adding that its performance index and technological capacity are among the most advanced in the world.

The drone is capable of flying at an extremely high altitude for a long time, while its maintenance is simple, he said.

The chief engineer did not elaborate on details, but said such drones can usually ascend to an altitude of 20 to 30 kilometers, and cruise at a speed of 150 to 200 km per hour.

The unmanned aerial vehicle will be used mostly for airborne early warning systems, aerial reconnaissance, disaster monitoring, meteorological observation and relay communications, according to Shi.