China’s home-grown AV500W unmanned autonomous helicopter completed its first flight armed with missiles at a test base in Golmud, northwest China’s Qinghai province, Nov. 18.

During the test flight, the helicopter conducted aerial surveillance and combat tests. Two other unmanned drones, the AV500 unmanned helicopter and the XM20, also conducted successful test flights at the base at an altitude of 4,300 meters.

They withstood high altitude conditions and the complex geographical features of the plateau.

Developed by Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the drones are aimed at meeting the demand of unmanned helicopters, especially in the plateau areas.