China's largest drone helicopter, the V750, successfully fired anti-tank missiles at ground targets for the first time this June.

In its military guise, the V750 is being outfitted mainly as an anti-tank weapon armed with two missiles, either the HJ-9 or HJ-10. It can also mount rocket pods to attack troops and soft vehicles.

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The V750 first flew in 2011 in the eastern province of Shandong. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 750 kg and can loft up to 80 kg. The single rotor, three-bladed unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) can be controlled to a distance in excess of 150 km. It can also fly automatically following pre-set programming.

The weaponized V750 will join another drone helicopter, the NORINCO Sky Saker H300, already in service with the People's Liberation Army Ground Force or the ground army of the Communist Party of China. It will likely be used by smaller ground units such as brigades and battalions.

The V750 was jointly developed by Weifang Tianxiang Aerospace Industry Co. Ltd. and Qingdao Haili Helicopters Manufacturing Co. Ltd. It was certified as flight worthy by Chinese aviation authorities in 2014.

On the other hand, the Sky Saker is a coaxial rotor helicopter UCAV weighing in at 200 kg. Its reconnaissance cameras include electro-optical and infrared systems, along with laser target designators for surveillance and fire control.

Sky Saker H300 can also provide midcourse corrections for guided munitions launched by other weapons systems, such as cruise missiles from Xi'an H-6K heavy bombers or guided rounds fired from PLZ-05 howitzers. 

TagsV750, anti-tank weapon, drone helicopter, Sky Saker H300