The HH-100 aircraft, developed by China’s AVIC XAC Commercial Airplane Company, is a cost-effective option with a large carrying capacity and an operating range of 520 km. This low-cost aircraft is designed for transporting goods and has potential applications in firefighting, relief supply transportation, emergency communications, and weather modification.
According to Interesting Engineering, the HH-100 unmanned cargo aircraft prototype recently completed its successful test flight in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China. The prototype covered a distance of 35 km, operated smoothly, and met all testing requirements.
The HH-100 system consists of the drone and a ground command and control station. The drone has a cargo capacity of around 4 m3, a maximum takeoff weight of 2,000 kg, a payload of 700 kg, and an operating range of 520 km. Mainly used for regional air logistics or short-range deliveries, this project is part of AVIC’s initiative to provide reliable and affordable commercial unmanned air transport systems catering to the growing low-altitude economy sector.
Companies worldwide are investing in unmanned cargo aircraft to enhance logistics operations by providing fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly freight transportation solutions. Amazon and Walmart are testing drone delivery services in the US while the civil drone industry in China is expected to reach 117.4 billion yuan ($16.2 billion) in 2023 as reported by the Information Industry Development Center China.
