The CH-YH1000 unmanned logistics aircraft completes its test flight at an airfield in Northwest China.
In a significant milestone for China’s unmanned aviation sector, the CH-YH1000 cargo drone completed its maiden test flight on Thursday.
Developed by Aerospace CH UAV Co Ltd, this platform is positioned to enhance aerial logistics in remote and rugged regions.
The test flight, conducted at an undisclosed airfield in Northwest China, yielded positive flight data and met all predefined performance objectives, according to a statement released by the developer to China’s state-run Global Times.
It marks an important achievement for the CH-YH1000 program, launched just a year ago.
Multi-mission cargo drone
The CH-YH1000 is a medium-altitude, twin-engine unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tailored for logistics operations in difficult terrains and under austere conditions.
The aircraft adopts a conventional cargo aircraft layout, leveraging proven avionics systems from the CH drone family.
This ensures high reliability, robust performance in contested electronic environments, and resilience under operational stress.
The platform is engineered for flexibility. It can perform short takeoff and landing (STOL) from improvised airstrips, including compacted dirt roads, grassy clearings, and secondary highways.
Additionally, modular kits enable amphibious and snowfield operations, expanding their strategic utility in regions with limited infrastructure.
Official specifications list a range of 1,000 miles, a 10-hour endurance window, and a service ceiling of 8,000 meters.
The CH-YH1000 can lift 2,200 pounds of cargo, accommodating four one-cubic-meter pallets.
A dual-mode cargo interface, frontal loading/unloading, and belly cargo drop enhance operational versatility.
An integrated 6-kilowatt onboard power system also supports auxiliary mission equipment, enabling adaptation for specialized roles beyond logistics.
A full-load taxiing test was previously completed under operational conditions in January at Zhanghe Airport, Jingmen, in Hubei Province, confirming the aircraft’s mechanical reliability under stress.
Strategic utility in remote regions
The CH-YH1000 is intended as a cost-effective alternative to conventional manned transport platforms.
A project engineer called it a “pickup truck in the air.” This project aims to solve delivery challenges in remote areas like Xizang (Tibet) and Xinjiang.
These regions face delivery problems because of difficult terrain and poor infrastructure. As a result, shipping costs are high, and transport times are long.
By connecting central hubs with isolated townships and counties, the CH-YH1000 promises to streamline supply chains, reduce delivery overhead, and improve the speed of goods transport to underserved areas.
Military aviation expert Fu Qianshao, who reviewed the platform during its public appearance at Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, highlighted to Global Times the drone’s rapid load/unload capability as a major design advantage.
According to Fu, this design allows for more daily flights, improving efficiency and lowering deployment costs. Fu also noted the aircraft’s strong structure.
Unmanned aircraft are lighter than those with pilots, which helps carry more supplies while reducing costs. This feature is important to enhance delivery capacity and keep expenses low.
After successful initial tests and promising results, the CH-YH1000 is expected to play a major role in China’s plans for unmanned logistics.
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