China has successfully conducted the maiden flight of its largest unmanned cargo aircraft for civilian use, highlighting the nation’s efforts to advance the development of autonomous aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of transporting everything from goods to passengers. The twin-engine aircraft, which has a payload capacity of 2 metric tons, took off on Sunday for a 20-minute flight in Sichuan province, as reported by state media and developed by Sichuan Tengden Sci-tech Innovation Co.
As the world’s leading drone manufacturer, China is exploring larger UAV payloads in response to the government’s push to build a “low-altitude economy.” This initiative aims to grow the aviation sector into a 2-trillion-yuan ($279 billion) industry by 2030, a four-fold increase from 2023.
The new drone, developed by Tengden, features a wingspan of 16.1 meters (52.8 feet) and a height of 4.6 meters (15 feet), making it slightly larger than the popular four-seat Cessna 172 light aircraft.
This test flight follows the debut of another cargo drone by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) in June. AVIC’s HH-100 drone, which has a payload capacity of 700 kg (1,543 pounds) and a flight range of 520 km, is set to be surpassed next year by the TP2000, a larger drone capable of carrying up to 2 tons of cargo over distances four times that of the HH-100.
China has already begun utilizing drones for commercial deliveries. In May, Phoenix Wings, a subsidiary of delivery giant SF Express, started using Fengzhou-90 drones to transport fresh fruit from Hainan to Guangdong. These drones, developed by SF, promise shorter delivery times and lower transport costs, especially in areas lacking conventional aviation infrastructure, such as densely built-up urban rooftops.
In addition to cargo, these drones could eventually serve as flying taxis. In April, Guangzhou-based EHang Holdings received China’s first production certificate for a passenger-carrying drone, marking a significant step toward the future of autonomous passenger transport.
The government has identified the low-altitude economy as a new growth engine, with vertical mobility seen as a crucial “productive force” for passenger and cargo transport.
Recently, a manned commercial passenger helicopter completed its inaugural flight from Kunshan in Jiangsu province to Shanghai Pudong Airport, covering the 100 km (62 miles) journey in just 20 minutes. Operated by Shanghai NewSky Heli Co., this route, which will officially open on August 18, is expected to serve up to 30,000 passengers annually with one-way fares of up to 1,800 yuan. Shanghai plans to expand low-altitude routes to connect other cities within the Yangtze River delta.
