The People's Daily reported on June 21, that China's unmanned helicopter, the AV500, has successfully conducted its first night operation under challenging conditions, demonstrating its any-time, all-terrain capabilities. It quoted Chinese analysts saying this might increase the possibility for the Chinese military to put it into service and attract overseas buyers. A statement issued by the helicopter department of the state-owned Aviation Industry of China (AVIC), the maker of the AV500, said an AV500 took off and flew toward sea in a headwind of 15 meters per second at midnight on June 14 in South China's Hainan Province. During the nighttime mission, the drone helicopter successfully located its target vessel with its electro-optical pod and transferred back clear infrared visuals.
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