China’s TP500 freight drone makes its maiden flight.

According to Chinese media, The TP 500 cargo unmanned aerial vehicle has flown for the first time in China. The First Aviation Institute-developed device took off early in the morning and flew for 27 minutes. The first flight was deemed successful. The test’s location is not stated.

The new general-purpose freighter drone can fly roughly 500 kilograms (1,102 lbs) of cargo and has a maximum range of up to 1,800 kilometers (more than 1,118 miles). The UAV has a special tail that folds to allow easier access to the cargo compartment inside it, which speeds up the loading procedure.

#China's homegrown #TP500 unmanned #freighter completed a successful maiden flight recently. The TP500 is a general-purpose unmanned transport platform with a large load &can transport cargo to as far as 500 km, carrying the standard 500kg laod. pic.twitter.com/NSOIGi9z3f

— Ambassador Hou Yanqi (@China2ASEAN) June 20, 2022

The initial flight, which lasted around 27 minutes, represents another significant step forward in the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s (AVIC) development programme for large-scale unmanned air transport.

Primo volo dell’#aereo #cargo cinese senza pilota #TP500 della #Avic First Aircraft Institute #drone #cargodrone pic.twitter.com/TqNwvNKSLZ

— Maurizio (@mauriziog) June 18, 2022