China has completed the maiden flight of its latest long-endurance stealth drone, the CH-7, marking another step in Beijing’s push to expand advanced unmanned military capabilities, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The CH-7 is a high-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance drone designed for stealth operations and long-range intelligence gathering.
China’s high-altitude, high-speed drone, the CH-7, recently successfully completed its first flight at an airfield in Northwest China, the Global Times learned from the 11th Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp on Monday. The maiden flight marks that the large… pic.twitter.com/lPTIE7iv1c
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) December 14, 2025
Chinese officials said the aircraft can operate in complex environments and transmit battlefield data to manned aircraft and strike forces. Further flight and payload tests are planned.
Developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics under the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the CH-7 uses a flying-wing design to reduce radar detection.
China's CH-7 high-altitude, high-speed drone recently conducted its maiden flight in a northwestern province, according to the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, which designed and built the pilotless plane.
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) December 15, 2025
According to the academy, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science… pic.twitter.com/tnPu4efdyc
Designers say its stealth features are comparable to the U.S. RQ-180 reconnaissance drone.
Recent design changes increased wingspan while reducing weight, improving endurance to about 16 hours with a range exceeding 2,000 kilometers. The CH-7 adds to China’s rapidly growing fleet of autonomous military systems.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
