Chinese aerospace company Rainbow UAV Technology's first Taizhou-assembled Rainbow-4 drone recently passed its inaugural test flight – pointing to Beijing's increased armed drone production capabilities.
In a Wednesday statement, Rainbow UAV Technology's parent company Aerospace CH UAV announced that the first Rainbow-4 drone constructed at its large and medium-sized drone plant in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, had completed its first test flight.
The armed UAV's 95-kilometer maiden flight lasted approximately 48 minutes – meeting Rainbow-4 drone design requirements, reported Yicai Global.
According to the Asia Times, the Rainbow-4 UAV is equipped with upgraded electronic payloads and satellite controls which assist the aircraft's ability to strike a target with a margin of error of less than 1.5 meters.
“The drone will be the first delivery in a contract Rainbow UAV Technology and National Geomatics Center of China,” Yicai Global reported, citing the company's statement. The deal, worth $22 million, is also said to include seven emergency mapping drones.
With one successful assembly and test under its belt, the Taizhou facility is expected to push out more medium and large-sized UAVs after completing additional phases in equipment commissioning and trial production. The company did not say whether its immediate production schedule would include drones other than the Rainbow-4.
While China's military…