China's domestically developed FP-985 Taurus large fixed- wing drone successfully completed a long-distance logistics flight across high altitude areas between Sichuan and Xizang.
Loaded with a variety of local specialty products, including butter tea and yak milk, the Taurus drone flew over 1,100 kilometers from Nyingchi City in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region to Beichuan Qiang Autonomous Region in Sichuan Province, marking China's first successful logistics validation flight for a large drone in a plateau environment.
Developed by Aerospace Times Feipeng Co., Ltd., the drone is designed to operate in various challenging environments, such as plateaus, islands and other complex geographical conditions.
The drone has a maximum takeoff weight of 5.7 tons, a payload capacity of more than 2 tons, and a ferry range of more than 2,000 kilometers.
The Taurus drone is capable of long-distance cargo transport in extreme environments, from cold highland areas to island conditions with salt fog.
In addition, the drone also supports short takeoffs and landings at standard airports and can be flown flexibly at airfields with limited facilities.
Aerospace Times Feipeng said the aircraft can operate continuously in all weather conditions with various functions, such as an anti-icing/de-icing system , lightning protection, and resistance to strong winds.
Officials said the successful flight would help boost the development of low-altitude logistics in Sichuan and Xizang, facilitating the transportation of agricultural products, boosting regional economic growth in western China, and strengthening emergency response capabilities.
