World's Largest Cargo Drone Changying-8 Completes Test Flight

Hong Kong’s Ming Pao reported on the 1st that China has successfully conducted a test flight of a large unmanned cargo aircraft capable of carrying 3.5 metric tons of cargo. The newspaper stated, “This is the largest cargo drone in the world to have successfully completed a test flight,” adding, “All components, including the engine, are domestically produced in China.”

The cargo drone, ‘Changying (長鷹)-8’, took off from Zhengzhou Shangqiao International Airport in Henan Province the previous day after rolling approximately 280 meters on the runway. It flew for about 30 minutes before landing. State-run CCTV evaluated the test flight, saying, “China has made significant progress in developing a 7-ton-class intelligent unmanned transport platform.” During the flight, the drone’s intelligent flight control system, avionics, electrical and mechanical systems, power and fuel systems, and flight stability were comprehensively inspected.

The Changying-8 was developed by China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Norinco), the country’s largest defense company. ‘Changying’ translates to ‘big eagle.’ The aircraft has a body length of 17 meters and a wingspan of 25 meters.

Its maximum flight range is approximately 3,000 kilometers. It features thick, robust landing gear to adapt to various takeoff and landing environments, requiring less than 500 meters for takeoff and landing. This allows it to operate on simple unpaved runways as well as complex terrains such as plateaus or islands.

Using the loading doors installed at the front and rear of the aircraft, it takes about 15 minutes to load 3.5 metric tons of cargo. Chairman Cai Hangqing of Norinco said, “The wings are also designed to carry cargo or other loads.” Following the first flight of the Changying-8, there are suggestions that Chinese defense companies may accelerate the development of larger and smarter next-generation drones.