A new Chinese military special-ops drone has shown unprecedented accuracy in live-fire tests, hitting a human-sized target with every shot while using a standard infantry assault rifle, reports South China Morning Post (SCMP).

The drone fired 20 single rounds while hovering at a height of 10 meters (3.2 feet) and a distance of 100 meters from the human-sized target, a standard 50cm by 50cm (about 20 by 20 inches) chest board.

The drone achieved a 100 per cent hit rate during flight trials, according to a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Gun Launch and Control.

The experimental unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was developed by Wuhan Guide Infrared in collaboration with the Chinese military’s Army Special Operations Academy, the study said.

Among the 20 rounds that struck the target, half landed within an 11cm radius, comparable to a headshot. At a shorter range of 50 meters, the system hit the target 19 out of 20 times.

Unlike earlier drones that relied on custom-built or modified firearms, this system used the same rifle carried by regular infantry soldiers.

The study suggested a significant shift towards practical, battlefield-ready technology, with advancement in stabilization, targeting algorithms and fire control integration for small airborne platforms.

The existing system supports only single-shot firing, not sustained bursts.

The developers, however, did not indicate when and whether this drone will enter service.