The T1400 helicopter made its first flight in Heilongjiang with a payload of 650 kg and a maximum speed of 180 km/h, paving the way for China’s low-altitude economy.
CGTN On November 2, it was reported that a new helicopter model developed by Harbin United Aircraft Technology Company under United Aircraft Group performed a series of operations in its first test flight. The unmanned vehicle named T1400 hovered, followed the route and landed precisely in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province in northeastern China. According to Tian Gangyin, president of United Aircraft Group, the helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kg, marking a breakthrough in both payload and durability, solving long-standing limitations of industrial drones.
The T1400 has a maximum load of 650 kg, equivalent to the weight of 10 adults and can fly in the air for over 8 hours. Designed for extreme environments, the vehicle operates in a temperature range from -40 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius, can withstand strong winds with a flight range of 6,500 m and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 km/h.
The T1400 is mainly aimed at the vast croplands, forests, rivers and lakes in Heilongjiang with many potential applications in agriculture, goods transportation, emergency rescue and forest fire prevention. Tian emphasized that the helicopter model will be widely deployed nationwide in the future. According to Xinhuathanks to its dual engine design and highly durable composite structure, the T1400 has a spacious cabin and intelligent operation.
As China’s key cultivation base, Heilongjiang is becoming a key market for the low-level economy (LAE). In recent years, the province has applied a series of measures to promote the development of the LAE sector, which was identified as a new development driver in the government’s 2024 report. It is expected that LAE will reach a market size of about 211.6 billion USD in 2025 and increase to 492 billion USD in 2035.