China’s AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group has unveiled a new vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle called the Yunying-25V (“Cloud Shadow”), a tail-sitter drone with a ducted-fan design that closely resembles the V-BAT developed by Shield AI.
The Yunying-25V made one of its first large-scale public appearances during the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala in Yibin, where ten drones performed a coordinated flight demonstration. The display highlighted the platform’s ability to operate in formation and underscored its readiness for broader introduction.
Designed for convenient vertical takeoff and landing, the Yunying uses a specialized airframe layout and flight-control algorithms to enhance adaptability across diverse environments. According to the manufacturer, the aircraft requires only a 3-by-3-meter area for launch and recovery, enabling operations from confined terrain or moving platforms. Promotional materials emphasize rapid deployment and flexible basing, describing launch “within a small space — directly into the sky.”
Two variants are offered: an electric model with a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kilograms and a gasoline-powered version weighing up to 31 kilograms. Both can operate at altitudes of up to 4,000 meters. Maximum speeds are listed at 190 km/h for the electric configuration and 210 km/h for the fuel-powered model. Payload capacity reaches 3 kilograms for the electric version and 4 kilograms for the gasoline variant. The drone measures 2.6 meters in wingspan and 1.96 meters in length.
Featuring a modular, disassemblable structure, the Yunying can be transported in a pickup truck and deployed in under five minutes. Its tail-sitter configuration enables vertical launch, transition to forward flight, and more efficient cruising than traditional multirotor drones, supporting missions ranging from urban monitoring to emergency response.
The drone first appeared in August 2025 when it was showcased during a mountainous plateau disaster relief drill in Sichuan Province.
See: China Shows V-BAT Knock-Off
Source: Defence Blog