Chinese Navy Tests AR-500CJ Drone Helicopter from Unique 'Mini Carrier' Platform

Chinese engineers have begun at-sea testing of the AR-500CJ unmanned helicopter from a unique 328-foot vessel that functions as a dedicated drone carrier, revealing Beijing's significant investment in naval drone capabilities. The tests, broadcast on CCTV-7, China's military television channel, show the drone operating from a specialized ship built by Jiangsu Dayang Marine shipyard that features a distinctive trapezoidal flight deck section and represents one of several unusual marine drone platforms emerging from Chinese shipyards.

The footage, aired on October 30, provides the first clear evidence of this particular vessel in active use. The ship matches the configuration of one launched at the Jiangsu Dayang Marine shipyard in 2022, measuring approximately 328 feet long and 82 feet across with a small island structure on the starboard side toward the bow. This "mini drone carrier" appears specifically designed to support the testing and development of China's growing fleet of naval unmanned systems.

The AR-500CJ itself is a ship-optimized version of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's (AVIC) AR-500 drone family, first flown in 2022. According to CCTV-7, the helicopter is designed for surveillance and aerial signal relay missions, potentially extending the sensor range of Chinese naval vessels. The broadcast showed the drone being moved around the ship's deck and presumably conducting flight operations, though specific performance details remain undisclosed.

READ ALSO: https://www.modernmechanics24.com/post/china-inflatable-space-factory-in-orbit-manufacturing

This vessel is part of a broader pattern of unusual marine drone platforms emerging from China. Jiangsu Dayang Marine has produced at least two catamaran "drone motherships" alongside various specialized barges, all appearing focused on replicating drone and electronic warfare threats for training purposes. The emergence of these platforms, reported by The War Zone, underscores China's systematic approach to developing unmanned naval aviation capabilities across multiple domains.

While these specialized ships may primarily serve testing and training roles, they offer significant value to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) as it works to integrate drones into naval operations. The relatively small size of this "mini carrier" would limit its sustained operational utility, but as a dedicated test platform, it accelerates the development of systems like the AR-500CJ without tying up valuable space on China's growing fleet of aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.

China's naval drone ambitions extend far beyond helicopter-style systems. Recent imagery has revealed a navalized version of the stealthy GJ-11 Sharp Sword unmanned combat air vehicle with its arrestor hook deployed, indicating preparations for carrier operations. Meanwhile, another shipboard drone helicopter based on the larger AR-2000 design from China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) was prominently displayed during a major military parade in Beijing in September.

WATCH ALSO: https://www.modernmechanics24.com/post/tesla-model-y-completes-full-circumnavigation-of-australia-using-full-self-driving-supervised-system

The systematic development of both the drones and their specialized support ships reinforces China's position as a global leader in military unmanned systems. With multiple unusual deck-equipped vessels now visible at Chinese shipyards and increasingly appearing in testing roles, China's investment in naval drone infrastructure appears both substantial and growing.

These platforms provide the PLA with valuable flexibility in developing tactics and procedures for integrating unmanned systems into future naval operations, potentially altering the balance of power in contested maritime regions like the South China Sea.