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A CH-YH1000 unmanned transport completes a full-load taxiing test under full working conditions in Zhanghe Airport in the city of Jingmen, Central China's Hubei Province on January 20, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of CH UAV

 


China's CH-YH1000 unmanned transport aircraft on Monday completed a full-load taxiing test under full working conditions in Zhanghe Airport in the city of Jingmen, Central China's Hubei Province. The next step will involve its maiden flight following optimizations, the drone's maker said on Tuesday.

During the taxiing test, all systems of the unmanned transport aircraft operated smoothly, demonstrating good operability and adaptability, according to a press release the Aerospace CH UAV Co Ltd, the developer of the aircraft, sent to the Global Times.

The whole test process was smooth and orderly, as the unmanned transport aircraft accelerated steadily on the runway and safely stopped within the predetermined taxiing distance, marking the successful completion of the test, the company said.

The project team will carry out further optimizations and tests on the unmanned transport aircraft, and the maiden flight will be carried out after confirming its stable and reliable performance more, according to the press release.

Having a strong transport capacity of a full load of 1,000 kilograms, this type of unmanned transport aircraft offers new solutions for logistics, emergency rescue, and military supply missions. It will promote the development of China's transport drone industry and bolster the growth of China's low-altitude economy, the maker of the drone said.

The CH-YH1000 unmanned transport aircraft made its first public appearance with a static ground display at the Airshow China 2024 held in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province in November 2024.

The Global Times learned from Aerospace CH UAV Co Ltd at the airshow that the CH-YH1000 is a multipurpose medium-altitude transport drone system with military and civilian transportation purposes and weapon delivery capabilities. It is characterized by its capabilities in terms of taking off and landing at very short distances under rough conditions.

The aircraft has a cargo capacity of at least 1,000 kilograms, a maximum takeoff weight of 2,300 kilograms, a mission endurance exceeding 10 hours and a ceiling of 8,000 meters, according to the information released at the airshow.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert who closely observed the CH-YH1000 unmanned transport aircraft at the Airshow China 2024, told the Global Times on Tuesday that transport drones are usually characterized by their low empty weight and high load capacity. These characteristics make them more efficient and cost-effective than manned transport aircraft.

The CH-YH1000 is uniquely designed to load and unload cargos quickly, enabling it to conduct multiple sorties efficiently, Fu said. 

In addition to transport missions, Fu noted that the CH-YH1000 also has the potential to adapt to carrying specialized payloads.