China tested a domestically produced anti-smog drone

China on 9 March 2014 tested a domestically-produced anti-smog drone aircraft. The aircraft was designed to disperse smog. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dispersed fog and smog by releasing a chemical catalyst. The chemical will freeze pollutants and make them fall to the ground.

Even in the thick fog the UAV could fly an accurate route and the use of drones will reduce risks and cut costs. The UAV is easy to control and land which make it suitable to use at airports and ports.

The aircraft was manufactured by a subsidiary of state-owned aviation giant Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC).It is an important step for the country's domestic aviation industry.

The aircraft is also called The parafoil plane because it features a gliding parachute. It can carry three times the cargo weight of common planes. The aircraft could be used to conduct agricultural seeding, emergency rescue and other tasks.

Air pollution in parts of China was so extreme that it could lead to conditions similar to a nuclear winter. Pollution readings jumped to threatening levels of more than two dozen times the level considered safe.

The highways were closed in the Chinese capital as the city was blanketed by thick smog engulfing skyscrapers.

State-owned AVIC is the unlisted parent company of Shenzhen-listed AVIC Aircraft Industry Corp of China. The test was occurred at an airport in central China's Hubei province.