The Lanying R6000 drone can transport ten people over a distance of up to 3,840 kilometers and can reach a speed of 547 km/h. Its developer has had several contracts with the military in the past but claims to have designed it for passenger and cargo transport.
An aviation company in China has built the first prototype of a large tiltrotor drone capable of carrying a two-ton payload. Named Lanying R6000, the unmanned aerial vehicle is developed by United Aircraft, which assembled the prototype at its factory in the city of Wuhu, as reported by Business Insider.
According to the local post Wuhu News, the drone's manufacturing was completed on Friday. Lanying R6000 was designed to take off with a maximum load of two tons or with up to ten passengers on board.
The manufacturer from Shenzhen claims that Lanying R6000 has a maximum range of 3,840 kilometers and can reach a cruise altitude of up to 7,620 meters.
The drone is faster than helicopters
Remarkably, the drone takes off and lands vertically, like helicopters, but can achieve a much higher speed than them - up to 547 kilometers per hour.
United Aircraft presented the drone's specifications at the Singapore air show in February, but only provided visual concepts at that time. This time, a photo shows the completed aircraft, the production team holding a banner announcing that the first Lanying R6000 drone has just rolled off the assembly line.
Whether by chance or not, the Lanying R6000 resembles the American aircraft Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. The Chinese drone's transport capacity is much smaller than that of the Osprey, which can carry 24 passengers or airborne loads of up to nine tons.
The full presentation of the drone has led to comparisons on Chinese social networks with the Bell V-280 Valor model, a newer aircraft that made its first flight in December 2017.
Lanying R6000 will make its debut at the 2024 Zhuhai Air Show, scheduled to take place between November 12 and 17.
Possible military applications
It is not clear if the drone is designed for military purposes, notes Insider. United Aircraft told reporters at the Singapore Airshow that they are preparing the aircraft for civilian roles such as cargo or passenger transport.
However, Wuhu News reported that the drone will make a significant contribution in various sectors of aviation, including emergency response and national defense.
Information on the United Aircraft website shows that in 2014, the manufacturer obtained military contracts from the Chinese government for several aircraft, including an unmanned helicopter.
A promotional brochure on the company's website states that its founder, Tian Gangyin, "led his team on the path of military-civil integration to strengthen the armed forces with technology and serve the nation through aviation."
The message refers to a Beijing national strategy of tapping civilian science and technology firms for military development, fostering a rule for private companies to collaborate with the military and share research.
China has promoted a major push for research and development in low-altitude aviation, an industry officials hope will take off. Beijing has long nurtured ambitions to turn the country into a global leader in advanced technologies.
Chinese aviation authorities announced in February that the domestic low-altitude aircraft industry was valued at around $70 billion, but was expected to grow to about $281 billion by 2030.
T.D.