New Chinese cargo-carrying UAVs conduct first flights

The Tianma 1000 is being developed for STOL transport and airdropping operations. (Janes)

China's already sizable portfolio of cargo-carrying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) grew further in January with the unveiling of the Tianma 1000.

The 1 tonne class UAV, which was flown for the first time on 12 January, is being developed for short take-off and landing (STOL) transport and airdropping operations, according to the Chinese government's State Council Information Office (SCIO). The type's maiden flight was conducted from an airfield in Shaanxi province.

The emergence of the hitherto unknown Tianma 1000 comes weeks after China's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (SASTIND) announced the first flight of the Lanying R6000, a 6 tonne vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) tiltrotor aircraft developed by the private Chinese company, United Aircraft Group.

13 programmes

The Tianma 1000 and R6000 are among 13 known Chinese programmes involved in the development of cargo UAVs weighing at least a tonne since 2015–16. While the platforms have a stated role in the Chinese government's low-altitude civilian economy initiative, they also have military applications.

The Tianma 1000 is a product of the Xi'an Aisheng (ASN) Technology Group, a subsidiary of the state-owned China North Industries Group Corp (Norinco) defence conglomerate. According to SCIO, the UAV can operate in complex high-altitude terrains and requires a minimum distance of less than 200 m for take-off and landing.

“In addition to conventional functions, the Tianma 1000 can also airdrop materials, which means it can be used for not only cargo transport but also rapid delivery,” SCIO added, citing state-owned media.