[Domestic News] A "Behemoth" Made in Changzhou Is Ready to Take Off!

The low-altitude economy represents a vast blue ocean for future industries, and Changzhou's low-altitude economy is poised for takeoff.

Recently, Beluga Airline (Changzhou) Technology Co., Ltd., a leading enterprise in the low-altitude economy sector in Changzhou High-Tech Zone, successfully completed the engine ignition test for its first W5000 large unmanned cargo aircraft. This milestone marks the successful completion of multi-system integration testing for the W5000's power system, representing a significant advancement in the industrialization of the unmanned cargo aircraft ahead of its maiden flight, which is scheduled for the second half of this year.

Beluga Airline W5000 Large Unmanned Cargo Aircraft

With a maximum payload of up to 5 tons and a maximum range of 2,600 kilometers, the W5000 is one of the largest, longest-range, safest, and most cost-effective large cargo drones in China.

The W5000 is equipped with the AEP100 turboprop engine, marking a significant achievement in China's self-reliance in large unmanned cargo aircraft power systems and offering a "Chinese solution" for global large-scale drone propulsion.

On October 18 last year, the first W5000 unmanned cargo aircraft, named "Longcheng No.1," rolled off the assembly line at the Luoxi Production and Manufacturing Base and made its debut at the Zhuhai Airshow. The engine for the W5000 undergoing ignition testing was independently developed by the AECC Hunan Aviation Powerplant Research Institute in collaboration with AECC Southern Industries Co., Ltd. It boasts three core advantages: high efficiency and energy savings, high reliability, and intelligent environmental protection, redefining the power standards for large unmanned cargo aircraft in China.

This integration test successfully completed the joint debugging of multiple systems, including the starter battery, starter generator, fuel system, engine, and propeller. All systems performed as expected, laying a solid foundation for subsequent flight tests and providing power system support for the globally anticipated "Beluga Airline" intelligent large unmanned cargo aircraft.

Hu Zhendong, CEO of Beluga Airline (Changzhou) Technology Co., Ltd., stated that Changzhou possesses a relatively complete industrial chain support capability. The production of the aircraft's fuselage barrel sections is undertaken by Qifu Antai Composite Materials Technology Co., Ltd. in Changzhou High-Tech Zone. Consequently, Beluga plans to establish a new production line in Changzhou with an annual output capacity of 120 aircraft. In the future, the company will gradually shift its operational focus to Changzhou, with development directions primarily targeting logistics, emergency rescue, and other sectors, significantly enhancing logistics efficiency and emergency response capabilities.

Last year, Changzhou released the "Three-Year Action Plan for High-Quality Development of Changzhou's Low-Altitude Economy (2024-2026)," clearly stating that Changzhou will expand low-altitude application scenarios for governments, enterprises, and the public, cultivate over 10 innovative application scenarios with demonstrative effects, and open more than 18 low-altitude air routes.

In Wujin District, the low-altitude economy is spreading its wings towards innovation, accelerating the construction of an industrial ecosystem. The district has already gathered upstream and downstream enterprises in the industry chain, including China United Airlines, Huachuang Aviation, Xingyao Guangyu, Huayi Aviation, and Xiaoyu Intelligence. Changzhou Speed Aviation Co., Ltd. focuses on scenarios such as smart city air mobility, emergency rescue, and short-haul logistics, independently developing products like multi-rotor drones, fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing drones, and composite-wing drones. Its large-payload, multi-rotor transport drones have been applied in the cleaning of photovoltaic panels at large power stations in Xinjiang and Yunnan.

Over the past year, the low-altitude economy has gradually permeated various aspects of production and life in Changzhou:

• From agricultural and forestry plant protection to emergency rescue,

• From aerial sightseeing to industrial inspections,

• To artistic performances...

The "low-altitude+" model is continuously expanding the "multi-scenario" and "new business formats" of drones in Changzhou, opening up new spaces for the upward surge of new quality productive forces.

• Changzhou First People's Hospital has opened air transport routes to Sanjing People's Hospital in Xinbei District and Weicun Street Community Health Service Center, efficiently delivering high-quality medical resources to the doorsteps of the public, enabling "flying" medication deliveries, and ushering in an era of aerial express services.

• Changzhou Children's Hospital has constructed a dedicated helicopter landing pad for emergency rescues, racing against time to save lives.

• Changzhou University has introduced drone-related professional knowledge into its daily curriculum. Changzhou Institute of Technology, Changzhou Technician College, and other higher education institutions have established majors such as flight technology and drone application technology to cultivate professional talents for the low-altitude economy.

• Drone education and training institutions are developing rapidly, with over 100 test-takers per month. Changzhou driving schools have also launched drone training services.

With innovative application scenarios and the construction of a new industrial协同 development pattern, Changzhou is spreading its wings and soaring in the new赛道 of the low-altitude economy.

Source: Changzhou News Media Center