A new unmanned helicopter, the T1400, has successfully made its maiden flight, marking a major step towards the "ton-class" era for low-altitude equipment in China's aviation sector.
Developed by Harbin United Aircraft Technology Co., Ltd. under United Aircraft Group, the helicopter performed a series of maneuvers in its maiden test flight recently in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province.
These maneuvers include hovering, route flying, and precision landing.
The T1400, with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, represents a breakthrough in terms of payload and endurance, overcoming long-standing limitations of industrial drones, said Tian Gangyin, chairman of United Aircraft Group.
The T1400 unmanned helicopter has a maximum payload of 650 kg, equivalent to the weight of 10 or more adults, and can stay airborne for more than eight hours.
Designed for extreme environments, the aircraft operates in temperatures ranging from minus 40 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius, reaches a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and can withstand high winds.
Developed and manufactured in Harbin, the T1400 is primarily intended to serve Heilongjiang's vast farmlands, forests, lakes, and rivers, with potential applications in agriculture, logistics, and emergency rescue, Tian said. He also noted that the aircraft will be used nationwide in the future.
Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and a spacious layout. Thanks to its intelligent operation capabilities, the helicopter demonstrates broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention.
