Gulf Insider
China has pushed further into heavy unmanned aviation with the first flight of the Changying-8 (CY-8), which it claims is the world’s heaviest cargo drone. The aircraft combines high payload capacity with short-runway performance, targeting logistics operations across remote, high-altitude, and island regions. The newly tested Changying-8 (CY-8) blends high payload capacity with short runway performance, signaling a push toward flexible, all-terrain aerial supply systems. The aircraft completed its first test flight on Tuesday in Zhengzhou, located in central China’s Henan province. It lifted off after a short ground run of 280 meters and stayed airborne for about 30 minutes. According to state broadcaster CCTV, engineers used the flight to verify key onboard systems, including avionics, propulsion, and intelligent flight controls. Built for heavy payloads The CY-8 stands out for its size and carrying capability. It reaches a maximum take-off weight of 7 tonnes. The drone itself weighs 3.5 tonnes and can carry an equal load. Its airframe stretches 17 meters long with a wingspan of 25 meters. Engineers designed a fully enclosed cargo bay with a volume of 18 cubic meters. The aircraft includes both front and rear access doors, allowing faster turnaround during loading and unloading operations. CCTV […]
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