Fixed-Wing Aircraft Could Operate From Land Or Water

A Chinese firm has unveiled the production version of an amphibious drone that could be used by both commercial interests and the Chinese military.

The U650, developed by Shanghai UVS Intelligence System, is a fixed-wing aircraft with a wingspan of about 20 feet, according to a report from CNNMoney. The first deliverables could be coming off production lines by the end of the year, according to a company spokeswoman.

The drone looks a bit like a shrunken version of an Icon A5. The company claims it has a range of about 1,240 miles, and can stay airborne for as long as 15 hours. It is intended to be used as a cargo delivery system. The company says it has several firms interested in evaluating the system, but did not disclose who those potential customers are.

The U650 can carry up to 550 pounds of cargo, according to the report. But it will not be able to fly in the same airspace as manned aircraft, which will limit its functionality, according to IHS analyst Kelvin Wong.

For the military, the missions could be both intelligence and supply delivery in areas where there are not a lot of long runways, such as the new man-made islands in the South China Sea, Wong said.

(Image provided by Shanghai UVS Intelligence System)

FMI: Original Report