Recently, the AR-500 unmanned helicopter, developed by the China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI) under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), conducted a demonstration flight in Zhuhai’s Hengqin area at the invitation of the Guangdong–Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone. The demonstrations covered scenarios such as cross-region and cross-border unmanned logistics, border control, and smart inspection, marking the first urban demonstration flight of the AR-500 unmanned helicopter in China.

According to reports, the AR-500 unmanned helicopter stands at the domestically leading and internationally advanced level among products in its class. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kg, a maximum level flight speed of 170 km/h, an endurance of up to 9 hours, and a service ceiling of 7,200 meters. With its outstanding overall performance, the AR-500 features all-weather and full-terrain flight capabilities, as well as convenient functions such as automatic takeoff and autonomous route flight. Its long endurance, high payload capacity, and strong resistance to environmental interference make it particularly well-suited for urban public service applications like emergency rescue, inspection patrols, and logistics transport. It also holds broad application prospects in the development of the low-altitude economy.