China to Supply South China Sea Bases with AT200 Cargo UAV

China is planning to use its new AT200 cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to carry out deliveries to the country’s military bases in the South China Sea, according to the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

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With a maximum take-off weight of around 3.4 tonnes and a payload of 1.5 tonnes, the AT200 has been described as China’s heaviest cargo UAV. Based on a Pacific Aerospace Limited P-750 XSTOL light utility turboprop, the UAV was jointly developed by the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics and SF Express Group. It conducted its maiden flight on 26 October in China’s northwestern Shaanxi Province.

The UAV, which can fly for up to eight hours, has a cruise speed of 313 km/h, a flight range of 2,183 km and a service ceiling of around 6,100 m, according to the institute. The AT200, which is powered by a 750 hp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 turboprop, reportedly only requires a 200 m long runway to conduct take-offs and landings.

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This sounds like food and water drops, not much else. 1.5 tons wouldn't work for fuel.

(whistles blame Canada)

a reply to: anzha

It does not sound like alot for that matter. But Ill bet that this is a proving ground for their version of a COD delivery system for their new carriers

Its all about money. One world mentality.

a reply to: anzha

They're going to need consumables a lot more than they're going to need other things. They can always fly something bigger out if they need to.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Do you think China is going to try and bridge their airlift gap with UAVs? I could see them filling the light airlift role with these UAVs while they acquire as many Y-20s as they need.

a reply to: hawkguy

More than likely they will. It makes sense for them to.