China Completes First Successful Test Flight of Stealth Drone? - East Idaho News
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China Completes First Successful Test Flight of Stealth Drone?

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Getty 112213 Drone?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1385126519351Erik Simonsen/Getty Images (file photo)(BEIJING) — China has completed its first successful stealth drone test, according to state-run media.

On Friday, the China Daily newspaper reported, “The successful flight shows the nation has again narrowed the air-power disparity between itself and Western nations.”

Military expert Andrei Chang told the AFP the design appeared a “little naïve” — but if successful, would indeed mark a milestone for China.

China Daily attributed confirmation to photographs taken by military fans.

Lijian, or Sharp Sword, was reportedly produced by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, but the information office has not yet confirmed the test.

News of the 20-minute test on Thursday afternoon in southwest China and photographs of Lijian first appeared on cjdby.net, a popular military forum.

Lijian’s test makes China the fourth nation to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Online reports suggest it is a delta-wing, single engine drone. It has been compared to both the Northrop Grumman-made X-47 series used by the U.S. Navy and the Russian MiG Skat drone.

The most recent Pentagon report on the Chinese military, published in May, alluded to Lijian: “The acquisition and development of longer range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles…and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles, will increase China’s ability to conduct long-range reconnaissance and strike operations.”

The announcement comes as tensions over disputed territories in the East China Sea between China and Japan continue. In September, Japan cited a UAV flying near the disputed islands and scrambled fighter jets, with Tokyo later warning it would shoot down future aircraft in the same space.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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