China’s largest cargo aircraft makes its maiden flight

China’s largest domestic unmanned cargo aircraft SA750U [Science and Technology Daily]

China’s largest domestic unmanned cargo aircraft, the SA750U, recently took off from the drone-dedicated test airport in Yulin city, northwest China’s Shaanx province. The 40-minute flight test was a complete success.

The SA750U is the first large unmanned cargo aircraft in China with a payload capacity exceeding 3 tons.

It was independently developed by Hunan Shanhe Huayu Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. and coordinated by Starair Aircraft Industrial Co., Ltd.

It took 2 years and 8 months from the aircraft's concept design to its successful maiden flight. The entire aircraft, along with its key components—such as the power system, flight controls, avionics, and materials—is domestically produced and fully autonomous

The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 7,500 kilograms, a maximum range of 2,200 kilometers, and a maximum cruise speed of 308 kilometers per hour, operating at an altitude of up to 7300 meters. The cargo compartment has a volume of 25.8 cubic meters.

In forest fire fighting, the drone can be refilled with water under pressure in about 3 minutes, filling 4 tons of water. It can fly at ultra-low altitudes over fire scenes and has nighttime rescue capabilities.

Besides, the SA750U unmanned transport aircraft offers a variety of applications, including aerial logistics, unmanned emergency material delivery, and forest and grassland fire extinguishing.

Source: People’s Daily Online; trans-editing by Guo Yao