China's First Commercial-Grade Small and Medium-Sized Pure Solar-Powered UAV Completes Successful Maiden Flight

【#Tech24H】On November 11, the “Light Cavalry” small and medium-sized pure solar-powered UAV, independently developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), successfully completed its maiden flight at an airport in northwest China, opening a new chapter for the commercial application of solar-powered low-altitude aircraft in China. On that day, the “Light Cavalry” followed a predetermined program: it started its motor, taxied smoothly, accelerated and lifted off, climbed to the predetermined altitude, circled the field, returned and landed. During the flight, it successfully completed validation of key tests for systems including flight control, avionics, energy storage, and stability and control. The UAV is 3.2 meters long, has a wingspan of 8 meters, a maximum designed endurance of 30 hours, a takeoff weight of 45 kg, a service ceiling of 7,000 meters, and a mission payload capacity of more than 5 kg. It can quickly be reconfigured with electro-optical, communications, detection and other commercial mission payloads. It uses a vehicle-mounted, runway-free takeoff mode, with ground deployment and preparation taking only 20 minutes. It can operate independently of fixed general aviation airports and be rapidly deployed in complex, unsupported environments such as mountains, coasts, and wilderness. [ By Zhang Liyan | Tang Ruohan ]