China's CH-YH1000 Cargo Drone Completes First Flight

China's CH-YH1000 unmanned cargo aircraft successfully completed its maiden test flight on May 22, 2025.

According to its developer, Aerospace CH UAV Co. Ltd., the test was conducted at an airfield in Northwest China and yielded valuable flight data while meeting all test objectives, as reported by the Global Times.

The drone is designed as a multi-purpose, medium-altitude logistics platform and features a twin-engine setup with a conventional cargo aircraft layout. Drawing on proven avionics from the CH drone series, it boasts strong anti-interference capabilities and robust operational performance.

The CH-YH1000 unmanned cargo aircraft excels in short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance, allowing it to operate from secondary roads, dirt runways, grassy fields, and, with float or ski kits, on water or snow-covered surfaces.

With a range of 1,500 kilometers, 10-hour endurance, service ceiling of 8,000 meters, and a payload capacity of 1,200 kilograms, it can transport four one-cubic-meter cargo pallets.

The drone supports both front and belly loading/unloading and includes a six-kilowatt onboard power supply for special mission equipment. Developers describe the CH-YH1000 as a “pickup truck in the air,” designed to offer efficient, cost-effective logistics solutions in remote regions like Xizang and Xinjiang.

According to its developers, the CH-YH1000 is designed to link central cities with remote townships, significantly reducing the cost and time of cargo delivery in underdeveloped regions. Its efficient design supports high-frequency sorties and quick turnarounds, maximizing daily transport capacity while minimizing operational costs.