China Soars Ahead with Maiden Flight of HH-100 Cargo Drone: A New Era in Air Logistics

China's domestically manufactured commercial freight drone passed its first flight test.

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) verified to a Chinese news source that the HH-100 prototype took off from Xi'an, Shaanxi province's capital, on June 12, Interesting Engineering reported.

AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co., Ltd., a Xi'an subsidiary, developed the HH-100, with two main components of unmanned aerial vehicles and ground-based control stations. The company told Xinhua News Agency that the HH-100 prototype met all test parameters.

Developers call the HH-100 a cost-effective, high-capacity aircraft as it can take off at 4,409 pounds (2,000 kilograms), carry 1,543 pounds (700 kilograms), and fly 323 miles (520 kilometers) at full weight.

For freight transport, the HH-100 has a service ceiling of 5,000 meters and a maximum cruising speed of 186 mph (300 km/h). The drone's capacity is around 4 cubic meters. With these features, AVIC plans to use the HH-100 drone for branch-line logistics and short-range deliveries.

In the future, the drone could also be utilized in forest and grassland firefighting, relief supplies, and emergency communication relays.

AVIC said the HH-100 is essential to its mission to bring affordable and dependable commercial unmanned aerial systems to the low-altitude market.

Watch the successful flight of the HH-100 in this video:

Tech Firms Investing Big Time in Cargo Drones

The report cited an info from South China Morning Post stating that the China Centre for Information Sector Development under the Industry and IT Ministry recorded 117.4 billion yuan (US$16.2 billion) in civil drone income last year, up 32% year-over-year.

The drone industry's quick rise highlights its importance to China's low-altitude economy. Since 2021, China has implemented laws and regulations to boost the civil drone industry, which is expected to have over 2,300 firms and 1,000 mass-produced drone products by 2023.

The worldwide drone business invests heavily in cargo drones for fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly logistics. Amazon and Walmart are testing drone deliveries in the US, demonstrating their logistical potential.

Recently, Amazon's Prime Air service reached a milestone with FAA clearance to extend drone deliveries. With the agency's approval to fly drones "beyond the visual line of sight," Amazon intends to speed up and improve online order delivery, per a previous TechTimes news story.

This certification lets Amazon fly drones farther without operator control, speeding deliveries and expanding coverage. The FAA verified that the permit extends to College Station, Texas, where Amazon began drone deliveries in late 2022.

Amazon views this clearance as a chance to expand drone operations, while privacy campaigners and aviation stakeholders worry about airspace management and safety.

Weaponizing Drones Against Stink Bugs

Aside from making waves in the freight industry, drone technology is also innovating the agriculture sector. The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia are testing the efficacy of AI and drones to manage the brown marmorated stink bug, a major orchard pest in North America and southern Europe, as earlier reported by TechTimes.

Life Sciences associate professor Lara Maistrello conducted a study to enhance the efficiency of pest management using drone technology. The study found that drones stopped adult stink bugs. Researchers believe this approach will boost integrated pest control by providing precise, environmentally adaptable forecasts.