In a major breakthrough, China has unveiled a formidable new high-altitude drone that could give its military a significant advantage.
Designed to operate in “near space,” 12.5 miles above sea level or higher, China’s new drones can break through air defenses, avoid radar detection, and collect valuable intelligence while staying well beyond the range of anti-aircraft fire.
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Operating at these heights has been a challenge that has long eluded engineers. Dubbed a drone “death zone” as the air at this elevation makes it difficult to generate lift and extremely low temperatures cause electrical equipment like batteries to fail. Until now, the U.S. military’s RQ-4 Global Hawk has been the highest-flying …