China’s first 7-tonne-class large transport drone, Changying-8, successfully completed its maiden flight on Tuesday at Zhengzhou Shangjie Airport in Henan Province.
The drone, dubbed the “unmanned air truck,” accelerated along the runway and took off in just 280 meters, testing key systems including intelligent flight control, avionics, electromechanical systems, power, and flight quality.After approximately 30 minutes, Changying-8 landed accurately and stably, with all systems performing optimally under intelligent management and manual monitoring.
Developed by China North Industries Group Corporation, the 17-meter-long drone with a 25-meter wingspan features an 18-cubic-meter cargo hold, capable of transporting standard aviation containers and cold-chain boxes. Loading and unloading can be completed in 15 minutes, enhancing logistics efficiency.The drone has a maximum takeoff weight of 7 tonnes, a payload of 3.5 tonnes, and a range exceeding 3,000 kilometers. It supports high-altitude takeoffs and landings, as well as short runways of just 200 meters, enabling versatile operational capabilities.
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