On January 11, the Tianma-1000 unmanned transport aircraft, developed by Xi’an Aisheng Technology Group Co., Ltd., a subsidiary under China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, completed its maiden flight. As the country’s first medium and large-sized unmanned aircraft designed for medium-altitude, cost-effective transportation, it has achieved exceptional versatility, such as complex plateau terrain adaptation, ultra-short takeoff and landing distances, and rapid switching between cargo transport and airdrop modes.
Tianma-1000 unmanned transport aircraft in its maiden flight. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Known for its smart transportation system, the Tianma-1000’s operational ceiling reaches 8,000 meters and requires a takeoff and landing roll distance of less than 200 meters. With a maximum range of up to 1,800 kilometers while carrying up to 1 ton of cargo, it is well suited for multiple tasks, including cargo delivery, emergency response, and border supply.
The Tianma-1000 unmanned transport aircraft features a modular cabin design, allowing it to be quickly reconfigured into a freight aerial platform, seamlessly switching between daily logistics and emergency support missions. Its dual engines enable long-distance and consistent flight, ensuring stable transport across provinces and regions. Half day is enough for it to deliver tons of materials to destinations where emergencies occur. Its aerodynamic layout and short takeoff and landing technology also allows the aircraft to adapt to challenging circumstances, such as remote fields and rural areas, thus enhancing the resilience and reliability of cargo delivery.
Tianma-1000 prepares for its first sky cruising. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Equipped with an optics-assisted landing system and a smart flight control system, the Tianma-1000 is capable of high-precision autonomous landing in low-visibility conditions such as rain, snow and fog. An advanced freight system with artificial intelligence integration supports full-process automation, including mission planning, cargo handling, and flight management. This system reduces the loading time of tons of materials to under five minutes and ensures safe and economical automatic freight in unfamiliar aerial spaces and complex meteorological conditions.
The aircraft also adopts a module-based multi-role design for missions such as large-scale transport, communication relay, and inspection and surveillance. A range of versatile capabilities enable the aircraft to excel in civil logistics, disaster control and specialized transportation.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
