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China unveiled a hybrid combat drone with a 60-kilowatt propulsion system. The test was conducted in December 2025 and reported by CCTV-7 on March 29, 2026. The design focuses on reducing noise and thermal signature — two characteristics that hinder detection by radar and infrared imaging.
According to a report by O Cafezinho, based on CCTV-7’s coverage, the hybrid drone combines a combustion engine and an electric motor in the same aircraft.
According to the Chinese state channel, the declared power is 60 kilowatts — equivalent to a mid-size electric sedan applied to an aerial drone.
Therefore, the aircraft can fly in silent electric mode during critical phases (target approach) and use the combustion engine for range.
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Consequently, the hybrid drone reduces the thermal signature detectable by infrared sensors during the electric portion of the flight.
For comparison, most American drones of the same class (such as the MQ-9 Reaper) operate with a turboprop engine — noisy and with a strong thermal signature.
As the portal recently showed in its coverage on Angra 3, China combines speed of execution in military projects with a strong presence on other fronts — including 4th generation nuclear reactors.
How the hybrid drone that changes aerial warfare works
The concept of hybrid propulsion is not new in civil aviation.
In fact, manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce have been working on similar commercial models since the 2010s.
On the other hand, its military application in drones is unprecedented on an operational scale, according to CCTV-7.
According to the technical drawing released, the combustion engine engages during long-distance cruising.
Subsequently, the electric system takes over in the final phase, near the target.
As a result, the hybrid drone can get close without alerting acoustic or thermal sensors.
According to the Chinese source, the estimated combined autonomy surpasses that of purely electric models, which achieve a maximum of 1 hour of flight.
China and the US, side by side, in the drone war
The United States historically leads in operational military drones.
According to the American Air Force, over 1,000 units of the MQ-9 Reaper have been delivered since 2007.
On the other hand, China is closing the gap with models like Wing Loong II and CH-5, exported to over 10 countries.
According to Revista Oeste, American authorities are monitoring shipments of Chinese and Russian weaponry to Iran.
Similarly, the evolution in silent propulsion puts pressure on defense doctrines based on thermal detection.
Why China chose to show the hybrid drone on TV now
CCTV-7 is the military channel of Chinese state television.
According to military analysts, revelations on the channel follow a pattern: successfully tested technology is disclosed to signal capability.
Therefore, the appearance on March 29, 2026, is not just news.
Consequently, it is also a geopolitical message for Washington, Tokyo, and Brussels.
According to industry records, China has quadrupled its military budget in 15 years.
Similarly, the Chinese Air Force requested additional tests with different payload configurations until the end of 2026.
The response from Europe and Russia: they are also working on drones
In February 2026, Europe tested the Hypersonica prototype in Andøya, Norway.
According to Euronews, the missile’s speed reaches Mach 6 — 7,400 km/h.
On the other hand, Russia has the Oreshnik system, with a range of up to 5,500 km.
According to records from the Russian Aerospace Force, this system has already been sent to Belarus and used in the war in Ukraine.
What differentiates the Chinese hybrid drone from competing systems is precisely its focus on silent propulsion.
How the military drone market has changed in the last 5 years
Current industry figures show the transformation:
- US: over 1,000 MQ-9 Reaper units, main operational system
- China: Wing Loong II and CH-5 exported to 10+ countries, plus hybrid drone in testing
- Turkey: Bayraktar TB2, used in conflicts in the Caucasus and Ukraine
- Israel: Heron and Hermes, leaders in long-duration surveillance
- Europe: Eurodrone in joint development, not yet operational
- Russia: Orion-E and Lancet, in use in the war in Ukraine
Consequently, the military drone market grew from US$14 billion annually in 2020 to over US$22 billion in 2025, according to industry data.
Similarly, the market share corresponding to electric or hybrid drones grew from 4% to 12% in the same period.
The hybrid drone could force a change in defense doctrine
Infrared sensors detect hot engines from kilometers away.
Therefore, modern anti-aircraft defense networks are optimized for this signature.
According to analysts, the operational deployment of aircraft with low thermal signatures
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