China's Civilian Cargo Drone Completes Maiden Flight with 2-Ton Payload Capacity

China has successfully conducted the maiden flight of a new civilian cargo drone capable of carrying a 2-ton payload, marking a significant step in the nation's burgeoning "low-altitude economy." The twin-engine aircraft, developed by Sichuan Tengden Sci-tech Innovation Co., completed its inaugural 20-minute flight in southwestern Sichuan province in August 2024. As noted by David Zagaynov on social media, > "China is flying a 2 ton payload cargo drone fwiw," highlighting the country's rapid advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology.

The Sichuan Tengden-built drone boasts a wingspan of 16.1 meters (52.8 ft) and a height of 4.6 meters (15 ft), making it slightly larger than a Cessna 172 light aircraft. This domestically developed transport aircraft is designed to meet market demands with features like easy loading and unloading, high reliability, and safety. Its successful test flight underscores China's ambition to revolutionize air cargo transport and create new business forms within its low-altitude economic strategy.

This achievement follows a series of significant developments in China's drone sector, including the state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) testing its HH-100 cargo drone with a 700 kg payload in June, and plans for the 2-ton TP2000 model next year. Furthermore, Hunan-based drone maker SA750U recently completed a test flight with an even larger capacity of 3.2 metric tons. Another notable development is the Lanying R6000, a tiltrotor drone also capable of a 2-ton payload, showcased earlier this year.

China's government is actively promoting the "low-altitude economy," identifying vertical mobility as a "new productive force" in both passenger and cargo transport. Regulators project this sector to become a 2-trillion-yuan ($279 billion) industry by 2030, a four-fold expansion from 2023. Industry insiders anticipate that cargo drones will lead to shorter delivery times and reduced transport costs, while also enabling deliveries to locations lacking traditional aviation infrastructure, such as urban rooftops.

Commercial drone deliveries are already underway, with firms like Phoenix Wings, part of SF Express, using Fengzhou-90 drones for fresh fruit transport from Hainan to Guangdong. The country is also advancing in passenger drone technology, with EHang Holdings receiving China's first production certificate for an autonomous passenger drone in April. While primarily civilian, some experts note the potential for such large transport drones in military logistics, particularly for supplying remote outposts or supporting assault forces.