A new era in logistics has been marked by the successful testing of a large cargo drone, capable of transporting multiple tons of goods over thousands of kilometers. Unlike traditional aircraft, the drone’s cost per ton-kilometer is significantly lower. In China, several drone manufacturers have already tested such transporters, with Yi-tong UAV Systems celebrating its first success in this area over the weekend.
The maiden flight of the cargo drone took place on March 15, with the machine airborne for 26 minutes after taking off from Laixi Dianbu Airport in the port city of Qingdao, Shandong Province. During the flight, the drone demonstrated its stability, maneuverability and the functionality of all its systems.
According to Jin Ge, general director of Yi-tong UAV Systems, the drone could enter regular operation as early as next year, pending the necessary approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The company’s director highlighted one of the drone’s key advantages, stating, “The TP1000 can be quickly modified to meet the customer’s requirements.”
The drone’s versatility could also make it suitable for use in maritime reconnaissance, scientific research, resource exploration and other areas, thanks to its flight capabilities, payload capacity and low operating costs, emphasized Jin Ge. Thirty of these drones of the same type have already been ordered by transportation companies ZTO Express and Asian Express Aviation.
The TP1000, with a starting weight of around 3.3 tons and a payload of over one ton, has a cargo hold of seven square meters and a large door for easy loading and unloading. The two-motor drone can fly up to 1,800 kilometers.
In August 2024, Chinese company Tengden successfully tested the world’s largest drone to date, capable of carrying two tons of goods. With a wingspan of around 16 meters and a height of 4.6 meters, this drone is slightly larger than the world’s most popular light aircraft, the four-seat Cessna 172.