UFO? No. World's first manned flying saucer takes to the skies

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At first glance at these images, you'd be forgiven for mistaking them as stills from the latest science fiction blockbuster.

But the images are very much real and were snapped as the world's first manned flying saucer took to the skies over Shenzhen, China this month.

The futuristic vehicle looks just like a cartoon UFO, although it won't take you to another planet.

Instead, the vehicle is designed to take off and touch back down on either land or water here on Earth.

Incredible footage shows the flying saucer soaring over a lake in Shenzhen with a pilot on board, although it remains unclear when or if it will be ready to accept other passengers. 

Chinese news site, Shenzhen Pages, shared images of the donut-shaped aircraft on Twitter this week.

'After more than three years of research and development, Shenzhen UFO Flying Saucer Technology has manufactured the world's first electric vertical take-off manned flying saucer,' it wrote.

The aircraft features a six-hole ducted fan structure with 12 propeller blades, according to Shenzhen Pages.

This allows it to achieve 'triple safety redundancy in terms of power supply, power motor, flight control, etc,' it added.

The electric vehicle takes off and lands vertically, and can do this from either land or water, making it an amphibious aircraft.

As it stands, the vehicle can fly for up to 15 minutes, reaching heights of up to 200 metres at speeds of 31mph (50km/hour).

'At present, this product is mainly used for sightseeing tourism and advertising performances and has obtained global invention patents,' Shenzhen Pages added.

The news comes shortly after a Miami-based aerospace company revealed that its flying car will hit the skies in two years - but it could cost you up to $350,000.

Editor: CH

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