Local media reported that China’s largest unmanned cargo drone has taken to the air for the first time. The twin-engine autonomous aerial vehicle (UAV), which can carry a payload of just over 1.5 tons, completed its maiden flight on Sunday (August 11).
The drone, developed by Sichuan Tengden Sci-tech Innovation Company, completed its 20-minute maiden flight in southwestern Sichuan Province. Sichuan Tengden Sci-tech Innovation Co., Ltd. is a leading domestic enterprise specializing in the research, manufacture and application of intelligent aerial vehicles to meet market demand.
The AVIC HH-100 has a wingspan of 52.8 feet (16.1 m) and a height of 15 feet (4.6 m). These dimensions would make it slightly larger than a four-seat Cessna 172 (a popular traditional light aircraft).
The aircraft is easy to load and unload, highly reliable and safe, and features advanced intelligence. It is designed to help the country expand its air cargo transport capacity and create innovative, smart logistics solutions for a low-altitude economy.
China’s largest cargo drone takes off
This latest test flight followed the maiden flight of another cargo drone in June developed by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), a leading aerospace company.
AVIC’s HH-100 has a payload capacity of 700 kg and a maximum range of 520 km. Next year, AVIC plans to test its largest cargo drone, the TP2000, which can carry up to 2 tons of cargo and fly four times further than the HH-100.
China’s civilian drone makers are testing larger payloads as the government seeks to build a low-altitude flight economy. The aviation authority expects the industry to reach 2 trillion yuan ($279 billion) by 2030, a fourfold increase from 2023.
China has already begun commercial drone deliveries. For example, in May, Phoenix Wings, a cargo drone company owned by delivery giant SF Express, began delivering fresh fruit from Hainan province to southern Guangdong. Fengzhou-90 drones developed by SF, a unit of SF Holding.
Chinese industry experts say cargo drones promise shorter delivery times and lower transportation costs. They could also make deliveries to places without conventional flight facilities, such as rooftops in densely built-up cities, and could transport people by taxi.
In April this year, aviation authorities granted EHang Holdings, a UAV manufacturer based in South Guangzhoufor its passenger drone. It is China’s first document of its kind for an autonomous passenger drone.
China is building an economy at lower altitudes
In a recent report, the government has identified the low-altitude economy as a new growth engine for the first time. Vertical mobility is seen as a “new productive force” in the area of ​​passenger and freight transport.
Reuters reported that Chinese state media reported that on Saturday a manned commercial passenger helicopter from Kunshana city in China Province, and went to Shanghai Pudong Airport, about 100 km away.
The Shanghai NewSky Heli Company wants to reduce the travel time between the cities from several hours to 20 minutes. Individual prices are up to 1,800 yuan. The route is scheduled to open on August 18. It is expected to carry 30,000 passengers per year.
Shanghai plans to expand its low-level flight routes to other cities in the region. Yangtze river delta.
Stay up to date with the latest engineering, technology, space and science news with The Blueprint.
By clicking “Sign Up” you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy of this website.
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Christopher McFadden Christopher graduated from Cardiff University in 2004 with a Masters in Geology. Since then he has worked exclusively in construction, occupational health and safety and environmental consultancy. He is a qualified and accredited energy consultant, Green Deal Assessor and a practicing member of IEMA. Chris’ main interests range from science and engineering to military and ancient history, politics and philosophy.
