Large unmanned aircraft with ton-level capacity debuts

A worker checks the condition of an AT200 unmanned cargo aircraft in Pucheng, Shaanxi province, on Oct 26, 2017. [Photo by Zhang Zhihao/China Daily]

The world's first unmanned freight aircraft with a ton-level capacity completed its first test flight, reported China News Service.

This unmanned freight aircraft, named AT200, was co-developed by the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other institutes. It performed well in the 26-minute test flight in Pucheng, Northwest China's Shaanxi provinceon, on Thursday .

The homegrown AT200 is 11.84 meters long and 4.04 meters high, with a maximum takeoff weight of 3.4 tons. With a cargo space of 10 cubic meters, the plane can carry 1.5 tons of cargo.

According to the research and development team, the AT200 is equipped with a advanced control system, which makes it easier to manipulate the aircraft and reduce the freight cost.

Key technical breakthroughs have been achieved during the development and manufacturing of the plane, which is able to fly at 313 kilometers per hour for about eight hours.

The AT200 is also capable of taking off and landing in rough terrains, such as mountains and islands.

The research and development team said they are working to put AT200 into commercial operation soon.

An AT200 unmanned cargo aircraft is on a test flight in Pucheng, Shaanxi province, on Oct 26, 2017. [Photo by Zhang Zhihao/China Daily]