China’s largest unmanned cargo aircraft completes first flight
Heavy-lift UAV designed for logistics, disaster response and industrial transport
DUBAI – China’s first fully indigenous 7-tonne-class cargo drone, the NORINCO LUCA, has completed its maiden flight in Zhengzhou, Henan province, marking a significant step in the country’s low-altitude logistics ambitions.
Developed by state-owned Norinco Group, the unmanned aerial vehicle represents the largest logistics cargo drone in China to successfully complete an initial flight.
The milestone underscores growing efforts to advance unmanned transport solutions for both commercial and emergency use.
Maiden flight
The aircraft remained airborne for approximately 30 minutes after taking off from a runway stretch of just over 200 metres.
The fully domestically developed NORINCO LUCA large cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) successfully completed its maiden flight on Tuesday in Zhengzhou, Central China’s Henan Province. According to its developer from China's state-owned Norinco Group, it is now the largest… pic.twitter.com/EysJN2oI7z
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) March 31, 2026
During the test, key onboard systems including flight control, avionics, propulsion, fuel, and electromechanical components were validated. The flight concluded with a stable landing, confirming overall performance and operational readiness.
Heavy payload
Designed as an “unmanned aerial heavy truck”, the NORINCO LUCA features a wingspan of 25 metres, a length of 17 metres and a height of 4.5 metres. It is capable of carrying a maximum payload of 3.5 tonnes. According to chief designer Geng Jianzhong, the aircraft can transport up to 1,750 winter jackets or 700 standard disaster-relief tents in emergency scenarios, while also supporting the movement of large industrial components, including entire production lines in some cases.
The drone is equipped with an 18-cubic-metre unobstructed cargo bay compatible with standard containers and specialised cold-chain units. This allows it to transport a wide range of goods, from fresh produce and seafood to medical supplies and industrial equipment.
Extended range
With a range exceeding 3,000 kilometres at full load, the NORINCO LUCA is designed for cross-regional operations, particularly for time-sensitive deliveries. Its short take-off and landing capability enables operations from runways as short as 200 metres, as well as basic airstrips and roads, improving accessibility to remote and underserved regions.
The platform is supported by an intelligent dispatch system that allows centralised management of multiple aircraft, facilitating continuous and coordinated operations. Built on a modular framework, the drone can also be adapted for various missions, including emergency communications, weather modification, border patrol and electronic reconnaissance.