Chinese "Global Hawk" in PLAAF color.
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Chinese "Global Hawk" in PLAAF color.
The existing of a Chinese "Global Hawk" is nothing new as it has been featured in various trade-shows and with reported maiden flight conducted on November 7th 2009 (here).
However, until today there has been no confirmation to suggest that the PLAAF is adopting this high high-altitude UAV -- this recent photo of Xianglong in PLAAF color suggests that the program is advancing to next stage of development.
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
Xianglong UAV conductes its maiden flight.
Guizhou Aviation Group (GAV) announces (here) and (Here) that the maiden flight of the Xianglong UAV has been successfully conducted on November 7th 2009 at 12:21 PM. The maiden flight took place at the Anshun airport and lasted 18 minutes.
Xianglong, or the Chinese HQ-4 Global Hawk, is a joint venture between the Guizhou Aviation Group and the Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI). It was first unveiled at the 2006 Zhuhai air show and completed its high-speed taxing tests in 2008. The fuselage, vertical and power plant of the Xianglong was designed by the GAV and the job of testing, manufacture and final assembly was handled by the CADI.