China's unmanned HH-100 cargo aircraft conducts first flight

The AVIC HH-100 UAV is being developed for low-cost cargo-carrying applications. (AVIC/Janes)

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China's (AVIC's) unmanned HH-100 cargo aircraft has flown for the first time.

The state-owned broadcaster, China Central Television (CCTV), aired video imagery of the unmanned aerial vehicle's (UAV's) first flight on 12 June. The UAV took off from an airport in Shaanxi province at 0916 h local time and returned to the airbase after a 35 km flight, the broadcaster said.

“It performed [satisfactorily] during the test, and its equipped systems were working well,” the broadcaster added.

Project officials told the broadcaster that the twin-engine HH-100 is being developed for “low-cost” cargo-carrying operations. AVIC previously said that the aircraft has a planned maximum take-off weight (MToW) of 2,000 kg and a payload capacity of 700 kg.

The HH-100 is also being designed to achieve a cruising speed of 300 km/h, a service ceiling of 5,000 m, and a range of 520 km with a maximum payload, according to AVIC.

Chen Lei, chief designer for the programme, told the broadcaster that the aircraft will operate as a multirole logistics platform. According to Chen, the main cargo hold can accommodate modular payloads. “We can integrate specialised types of cargo containers to the aircraft based on [the] logistics and transport requirements [of users],” he said.

The prototype has a twin-boom design. The UAV also has a small stabilising bar mounted midway over the booms for added structural support. The landing gear is in tricycle configuration and appears to be non-retractable.

Janes