Yilong-2H drone crashes into Olympic Sports Center in China
12 December, 2024 Fire after the crash of the Yilong-2H drone in China. December 2024. Source: @sugar_wsnbn
In the Chinese city of Jingzhou, a large Yilong-2H drone crashed into the Olympic Sports Center, causing public outrage. The China Times reported that a raging fire immediately broke out at the scene. According to preliminary data, the incident could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a control error.
No injuries have been reported, but the incident has raised questions in China about the reliability of using high-tech drones in densely populated areas. The Yilong-2H UAV is an improved version of the well-known Wing Loong II military drone developed by the Chinese company AVIC. Its civilian version is adapted to work in emergency conditions, including maintaining communication in the event of a natural disaster, monitoring weather conditions, and coordinating rescue operations. Thanks to its high-precision equipment and long flight time, the drone is considered one of the most advanced tools in emergency management in China.
Although the Yilong-2H is equipped with collision avoidance and automatic control systems, the number of accidents shows that the mechanisms still need to be improved. China is actively implementing drone technology in various areas, including defense, logistics, and crisis management.
Chinese drone Yilong-2H.
Source: www.chinatimes.com
In 2023, the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Situations started using Yilong-2H to monitor floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, which has significantly improved the efficiency of rescue operations. However, the Jingzhou incident was the first major event involving this type of drone.
Debris from the crash of a Yilong-2H drone in China. December 2024. Source: @sugar_wsnbn
The Chinese defense industry exports the military version of the Wing Loong-2 drone to many countries.
The Wing Loong II is equipped with a reconnaissance module and is capable of carrying laser-guided missiles and satellite-guided bombs.