China has flight tested an unmanned cargo aircraft based on a Pacific Aerospace (PAC) Cresco turboprop aircraft platform. Dubbed AT200...
China has flight tested an unmanned cargo aircraft based on a Pacific Aerospace (PAC) Cresco turboprop aircraft platform.
Dubbed AT200, the aircraft is currently the largest unmanned cargo aircraft in the world. Designed by the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, which is under Chinese Academy of Sciences, the aircraft has been modified to fly without a pilot and carry the cargo in its cabin.
Equipped with advanced flight control and command system, the aircraft can autonomously fly a predetermined flight path, which can be rerouted in-flight.
During the first flight which lasted 26 minutes, the aircraft took off from the Shaanxi province and climbed to a predetermined height to cruise and also executed a circular flight path.
The AT200 is capable of carrying a 1,500 kg cargo in its 10 cubic meter cabin and can climb to an altitude of up to 6098 meters. With a take off weight of 3,400 kg, it has a cruise speed of 313 km per hour with an endurance of 8 hours and a range of 2183 km.
Powered by a 750 hp Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop, the AT600 have an under belly modification to house the autonomous flight control system. The aircraft is 11.84 meters long, have a wingspan of 12.80 meters and is 4.04 meters high.
The AT200 also have very good short take off and landing capability and can takeoff/land from a 200 m long airstrip.
An aerial delivery capability with an accuracy of 5 meters is being developed for the aircraft to air drop supplies to ground.
Chinese courier company SF Express intends to operate a fleet of AT200 to expand its delivery services to mountainous regions of the country.
Pacific Aerospace is a New Zealand based company that manufactures light turboprop aircraft for utility and agricultural roles.
