Successful Test Flight Marks Milestone for Cargo Drone
On 22 May, a first test flight was successfully carried out for the CH-YH1000 cargo drone in an airfield in Northwest China, thus becoming one of the milestones to the development of unmanned logistics technologies for the country.
Aerospace CH UAV Co Ltd designed the drone for medium-altitude missions under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It aims to meet rising cargo delivery demands in remote areas with reliable and cost-effective methods.
Advanced Capabilities for Harsh Environments
The CH-YH1000 is equipped with two engines and follows a traditional cargo aircraft design, enabling it to perform short takeoffs and landings on surfaces like secondary roads, hard-packed dirt, and grassy terrain.
Key specifications include:
Maximum range: 1,500 kilometers
Flight endurance: 10 hours
Service ceiling: 8,000 meters
Payload capacity: 1,200 kilograms
The aircraft can carry up to four cubic-meter cargo pallets and offers flexible loading solutions, including front cargo entry and underbelly drop mechanisms.
Designed for Remote Logistics Efficiency
The design of this drone puts emphasis on rapid loading and high sortie rates so that it could be operationally efficient at a price comparable to ground transportation. It features a 6kW onboard power system useful for powering mission-specific equipment, giving special purpose applications outside logistics, such as emergency response and aerial surveying.
CH-YH1000 is meant to provide improved delivery services for remote areas like Tibet (Xizang) and Xinjiang, where the high cost and long delivery time remain the greatest challenges.With the ability to link central cities with rural counties and townships, the aircraft promises faster, low-cost access to essential goods.
Next Steps in Unmanned Logistics Development
Before its maiden voyage, the drone went through full-weight taxiing trials in January 2025 at Zhanghe Airport in Hubei. The data collected from this test flight confirmed the performance expectations and hence let developers move on with the drone’s further development and deployment.
This drone marks a new chapter in China’s autonomous logistic programs. With their high payload efficiency and flexibility in operation, and cheaper cost compared to manned cargo aircraft, the drones present scalable solutions for civilian and government applications.
As demand for unmanned delivery grows globally, China’s advancements with the CH-YH1000 signal a shift toward more adaptable and sustainable logistics strategies in hard-to-reach areas.
Watch the video here:
@hichinaofficial The Caihong-YH1000, one of China’s latest cargo drones, has completed its maiden flight successfully, signaling progress in the field of unmanned logistics. #Trending #ChinaInnovates For more: https://english.cctv.com/
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