China’s aviation advances with a test flight of the SA750U drone, capable of carrying up to 3.2 metric tons of cargo.
Chinese aviation achieved a significant milestone as an unmanned civilian drone, the SA750U, successfully completed a test flight, showcasing a record-breaking payload capacity of 3.2 metric tons. Developed by a drone maker in Hunan Province, the SA750U flew for 40 minutes on Thursday, reaching altitudes of up to 7,300 meters (24,000 feet) and covering distances of up to 2,200 kilometres (1,367 miles), as reported by the official Hunan Daily on Friday.
This advancement follows closely on the heels of another recent drone trial in Sichuan, which boasted a 2-ton payload, and a state-owned drone test two months ago with a 700 kg capacity. China’s drone manufacturers are ramping up these test flights as the country loosens airspace restrictions and offers incentives to develop its low-altitude economy. Authorities project that this emerging sector could grow into a 2-trillion-yuan ($280 billion) industry by 2030, a four-fold increase from 2023.
Cargo drones like the SA750U promise to revolutionise logistics by reducing delivery times and costs. Their ability to operate in areas lacking conventional aviation infrastructure, such as rooftops in densely populated cities, makes them particularly attractive for urban deliveries. China has already started commercial drone deliveries, with a firm under SF Express delivering fresh fruit from Hainan to Guangdong since May.
The government’s identification of the low-altitude economy as a new growth engine underscores the strategic importance of vertical mobility in both passenger and cargo transport, marking a significant shift in China’s economic landscape.
