Caihong YH-1000Sis the first airborne hybrid transport drone developed in China, and successfully made its first flight in Liangping District, Chongqing City on February 1st.
The project is led by the 11th Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and represents a significant development in the field of large cargo unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
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In its first flight, the YH-1000S was operated using a high-performance hybrid power unit jointly developed with leading companies in the new energy sector of China’s automotive industry.
According to the development team, this method significantly shortens takeoff and landing distances, increases payload capacity and cruising range, and validates the aircraft’s key aerodynamic characteristics and control performance.
The program is positioned as China’s first large-scale cross-sectoral integration attempt between the drone industry and the automobile industry. The consortium says the combination of leveraging a joint supply chain, implementing modular production and leveraging mature technologies in the field of electric and hybrid vehicles has resulted in lower development and manufacturing costs and greater flexibility for future variants.
Designed as a multifunctional systemRainbow YH-1000Senvisions a wide range of civilian and national missions, including:
- Freight transportation in international logistics;
- Emergency supplies transportation during crises and natural disasters;
- Artificial weather intervention (weather control) operations;
- maritime surveillance;
- Navigation control and coastal area surveillance.
According to Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television (CCTV), this successful first flight paves the way for future testing stages and is an important step in establishing the YH-1000S as a strategic platform for China in the emerging field of large transport drones.
Source/Image: Xinhua News Agency, CCTV. This content was created with the assistance of AI and has been reviewed by the editorial department.
China Successfully Tests the YH-1000S, Its First Hybrid Aeronautical Transport Drone
The Caihong YH-1000S, China’s first aeronautical-type hybrid transport drone, successfully completed its maiden flight on February 1 in the Liangping area of Chongqing. Source : Xinhua, CCTV pic.twitter.com/ShKZkZ222c — saibadetudo.com.br (@saibadetudo25) February 4, 2026
