The V750, one of China’s largest helicopter UAVs, has begun to test fire anti-tank missiles for ground attack missions, that reported by popsci.com.

In June 2016, an unmanned V-750 helicopter UAV successfully fired anti-tank missiles at targets. Jointly developed by Weifang Tianxiang Aerospace Industry Co.Ltd., Qingdao Haili Helicopters Manufacturing Co. Ltd and certified by Chinese aviation authorities in 2014, the 750kg V-750 drone is used by both civilian and military users.

In its current configuration, the armed version of the V-750 can carry at least two 50kg anti-tank missiles, such as the HJ-9 and HJ-10, or rocket pods, and has a range of 500 kilometers.

The attributes of helicopter style drones is not just in where they can operate, but for whom. Along with the smaller NORINCO Sky Saker H-300, the arming of the V-750 is a sign that China’s armed robots are becoming more accessible to the average grunt. While a medium altitude long endurance UCAV like the US Reaper or Chinese Pterodactyl would normally be controlled by a corps or divisional headquarters, a medium sized helicopter UCAV could be operated at the battalion level.