China’s “Meiyujian” high-altitude unmanned helicopter has successfully completed its first live-fire test.

IT Home, November 28 — According to China Central Television’s military report, multiple unmanned aircraft were showcased at the 2025 Asian General Aviation Exhibition, including the “Meiyujian,” a high-altitude reconnaissance-and-strike unmanned helicopter. The system successfully completed its first live-fire test in July this year.

An operator of the unmanned helicopter explained that the previous test was conducted at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, carrying two munitions to engage both moving and stationary targets. The next phase will involve a higher-altitude live-fire test at above 6,000 meters, using satellite communications for beyond-visual-range control.

According to Sichuan Tengden Technology, the “Meiyujian” UAV helicopter measures 7.87 meters in length, has a 6.4-meter rotor diameter, a maximum endurance of 8 hours, a maximum range of 900 km, and an operational ceiling of 7,000 meters.

Back in late 2021, the aircraft reached a speed boundary of 135 km/h at an altitude of 6,500 meters — an increase of 36 km/h. During descent, it achieved a true airspeed of 178 km/h at 4,500 meters (with power reserve), surpassing the maximum level-flight speed of domestic UAV helicopters of the same class at that altitude, further proving its capability in harsh, high-altitude and strong-wind environments.