China’s home-developed ton-class cargo drone

Tianma-1000, an unmanned ton-class transport aircraft independently developed by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), completed its maiden flight in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province on Sunday. Developed by NORINCO-affiliated Xi’an Aisheng Technology Group Co., Ltd., the aircraft integrates multiple functions including logistics transport, emergency rescue, and material delivery.

It is China’s first medium-altitude, low-cost transport platform capable of adapting to complex plateau terrain, performing ultra-short distance takeoffs and landings, and rapid switching between cargo transport and airdrop modes, filling a critical technological gap in relevant domestic field.