China’s first crewed airship – the Xiangyun AS700 – has completed its first low-altitude flight over the mountainous region of Guanling in southwestern Guizhou province, passing a critical airworthiness test, state media reported on Tuesday.
Advertisement
Flight data collected during the test verified the airship’s suitability for low-altitude scenarios, state broadcaster CCTV reported, adding that the results would help drive improvements to adapt the airship to a wider range of uses.
“The tests lay the groundwork for future deployment in emergency rescue, aerial surveillance and tailored flight-support missions,” CCTV said.
The domestically built AS700 flew at an altitude of 1,200 metres (3,937 feet) during the test; however, it had a maximum altitude of 3,100 metres, the state broadcaster said.
The AS700 recorded video of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, reportedly the world’s highest suspension bridge, which went into service on Sunday, CCTV reported.
Advertisement