CH-YH1000 Takes Flight Just a Year After the Program’s Launch

China has completed the maiden flight of its heavy-lift cargo drone: the CH-YH1000. The bird, developed by Aerospace CH UAV Co Ltd, is part of China’s growing effort to modernize transport infrastructure through unmanned aviation.

The flight took place at an undisclosed airfield in Northwest China. Though flight specifics were left out, the company’s statement claims that the CH-YH1000 met all performance targets and returned favorable data.

The CH-YH1000 is a twin-engine, medium-altitude UAV built specifically for cargo missions in rugged and infrastructure-poor areas. Its design follows a traditional cargo aircraft layout and incorporates avionics systems from the established CH drone family. This includes systems adapted for operations in electronically contested environments.

The drone’s key specifications include a range of 1,000 miles, a 10-hour endurance, and an 8,000-meter service ceiling. It can carry a payload of up to 2,200 pounds, accommodating four one-cubic-meter cargo pallets. Even with a heavy load, the CH-YH1000 supports short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations from improvised surfaces such as grass strips and dirt roads or even snow and water in certain configurations.

In January, the drone passed a full-load taxiing test at Zhanghe Airport in Hubei Province and demonstrated mechanical readiness under stress conditions. Test engineers then confirmed that a few more adjustments were needed before the CH-YH1000 would take to the skies. The successful maiden flight marks the end of its initial development phase, which was launched just one year ago.

The CH-YH1000 is intended to improve access to remote provinces such as Xizang (Tibet) and Xinjiang, where rough terrain and limited infrastructure often make traditional transportation an impractical option. The drone’s autonomous operation and rapid loading features could reduce delivery times and logistical costs in these regions.

FMI: www.spacechina.com