China has marked a new milestone in unmanned aviation with the successful maiden flight of a hybrid unmanned cargo aircraft, the YH-1000S, in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality.

Developed by the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA), the YH-1000S completed its debut flight equipped with a high-performance hybrid power system co-developed with a new energy vehicle manufacturer. Compared with its predecessor, the YH-1000, which first flew in May last year, the new model features shorter take-off and landing distances, a higher payload capacity and a longer flight range.

An engineer from the CAAA described the project as “the first time to apply the hybrid power system of new energy vehicles,” highlighting its role in exploring integration between the automobile and drone industries while significantly cutting testing costs.

Designed for global markets, the large unmanned aircraft is expected to support international logistics, emergency rescue, disaster relief, weather modification, and marine monitoring.

Source: China Central Television