Overview
- Xi'an Aisheng Technology Group, a subsidiary of state-owned Norinco, developed the Tianma-1000 unmanned transport aircraft.
- Reported performance figures include a roughly one-ton payload, about 1,800 kilometers of range, operations up to 8,000 meters, and ultra‑short takeoffs and landings on unpaved surfaces.
- The aircraft incorporates a modular cargo bay with rapid autonomous loading, AI route planning with obstacle avoidance, optical‑guided landings in low visibility, and a fault‑tolerant flight control system.
- Use cases highlighted by Chinese outlets focus on resupplying remote areas and disaster response with capacity to deliver several days of essential supplies in a single sortie.
- State outlets placed the test in Shaanxi province in early January, and the unveiling aligns with China’s broader push to scale its low‑altitude economy and unmanned cargo initiatives, with details drawn from official and industry sources.