China's large unmanned cargo aircraft TP1000 completes maiden flight

The TP1000, a large unmanned cargo aircraft, completed its maiden flight at Laixi Airport in Qingdao, Shandong Province, on March 15, 2025. (Photo: Screenshot on CNS TV)

(ECNS)-- The TP1000, a large unmanned cargo aircraft, successfully completed its maiden flight at Laixi Airport in Qingdao, Shandong Province on Saturday.

The flight lasted 26 minutes, with all performance data meeting the set targets and fully validating the aircraft's reliable design.

Developed entirely by Yitong Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Co., Ltd. in the Huang-Huaihai New Area of Yantai, Shandong Province, the TP1000 is the first large unmanned cargo aircraft in China capable of carrying a 1-metric-ton payload with parachute capability. It is also the largest aircraft ever independently developed in Shandong Province and the first drone to exceed a one metric-ton payload capacity.

The successful maiden flight represents a significant breakthrough for China in the high-end unmanned aerial vehicle sector.

The TP1000 boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 3.3 metric tons, a payload capacity of 1,000 kilograms, and a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers when fully loaded. Additionally, its cargo hold offers a spacious 7 cubic meters of volume.

Featuring a twin-engine modular design that allows for easy installation and removal, the aircraft is equipped with a self-developed redundant flight control system. Its design emphasizes long endurance, large payload, and cost-effective operation, highlighted by a sizable rear cargo hold opening.

To date, the TP1000 has secured orders for 30 units from companies including ZTO Express and Jiangsu Asia Jet.

The airworthiness certification configuration of the TP1000 is expected to undergo trial flights by the end of 2025, with plans to obtain type certification for large cargo drones from China's Civil Aviation Administration by 2026.