China used drones for the first time on Friday to carry out an artificial snow-enhancement experiment in the Kunlun Mountains in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The drone was equipped with ultra-long-duration water-increasing smoke flares, and successfully conducted the full combustion ignition experiment of the smoke flares at an altitude of 4,200 meters.

The TL-120 drones and ultra-long-duration water-increasing smoke flares were both provided by Shaanxi Zhongtian Rocket Technology Co., Ltd.,affiliate to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. 

The drone was also equipped with high-precision sensors and devices that enabled accurate positioning, real-time monitoring and precise measurement of the operation area. All of these functions were put to the test in the experiment.

The Kunlun Mountains serve as a vital water source in western China. Scientific and effective artificial rain (snow) enhancement operations can replenish surface and groundwater resources, thereby providing more guarantees for agricultural irrigation, industrial water use and residential water supply.

Moreover, such operations have positive ecological impacts, including improving desert ecosystems, increasing vegetation cover and suppressing dust weather.