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China's new 'Sharp Sword' stealth drone - which is capable of dropping TWO TONNES of bombs - has won second prize in competition.

Little is known about the unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) dubbed the "Lijian" in Mandarin - other that it is the first non- NATO aircraft of its kind and 'better' than that used by all military in the West.

But the ominously titled Sharp Sword just won second place in a nationwide competition called the National Science and Technology Advancement Prizes, it's been revealed.

It's the latest sign of the increasingly sophisticated design of China's military arsenal.

The 33ft-long craft - which was spotted being tested last year - is known to have been built by Aviation Industry Corporation of China and the prize is being paraded as a huge win for Chinese aviation technology.

(Image: CCTV)

The drone's two bomb bays can carry a payload in the region of 4,400 pounds vast distances - without being picked up on radar thanks to its stealth capabilities - and is expected to enter service by 2019-20.

There's no further details on why it won the competition - or indeed what beat it to first place - but according to Popular Science , the craft is believed to use a non-afterburning WS-13 turbofan engine with what's termed as a serpentine inlet to mask it from enemy radar.

(Image: CCTV)

As well as combat situations, the Sharp Sword is expected to be used for reconnaissance missions - and tracking foreign warships.

According to Popular Science the aircraft could one day be used to for "first through the door" combat missions against high-value targets.

It's also rumoured to be capable of acting as an aerial refuelling tanker for other aircraft.

(Image: CCTV)

It was first spotted in the air undergoing flight testing last year - and reportedly has a wingspan of around 46ft - and said to be similar appearance to a smaller version of the B-2 flying wing bomber.

It's China's answer to the American X-47B, the British Taranis and the French Neuron - but thought to have a far longer range than any of the West's competitors.

(Image: CCTV)

It comes just months after China unveiled another powerful drone bomber - which can fly a distance of up to 20,000km (15,000 miles) for TWO DAYS without refuelling.

The CH-5 unmanned aerial vehicle made its first flight last year - and appears based on the US MQ-9 reaper.

(Image: CCTV)

Capable of carrying smart bombs, missiles and high-tech radar jammers, the weapon made its first public appearance at a military air show in the southern city of Zhuhai.

AsiaOne described the prototype as: "One of the most powerful unmanned combat aircraft in the world."

(Image: CCTV)

Chief designer Shi Wen added: "Several foreign nations have expressed intentions to purchase the CH-5 and we are in talks with them."