China launches cargo drone able to haul up to 1.2 tons

New aircraft can fly for 10 hours, take off and land on shorter runways

The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics, one of the country's dominant unmanned aircraft makers, has carried out the maiden flight of its new aerial cargo drone.

The Beijing-based academy, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, said in a news release that the CH-YH1000 unmanned cargo aircraft made its first test flight from an unidentified airport in Northwest China and the test "achieved desired results" after the 15-minute operation.

According to the release, the model has a typical aerodynamic configuration widely used by transport drones. Goods are moved into and out of the aircraft from its nose, which can open upward. The underside can also open during the flight to airdrop cargoes.