Weinan, Shaanxi, China — Chinese aerospace company Huaying Aviation has rolled out its first serial-production HE-1A unmanned cargo aircraft at its Weinan assembly facility. The rollout took place on October 29, marking a step toward batch production of China’s ton-class commercial unmanned transport aircraft.
The HE-1A is designed for commercial intercity cargo transport. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 4 metric tons and a payload capacity of 2 tons, giving it a payload ratio above 50%. The aircraft can operate from grass, gravel, and compacted-earth surfaces. It is also designed for airdrop and emergency response missions.
Production and Flight Testing
Huaying’s Weinan facility covers approximately 50,000 square meters and has three assembly lines. The plant is planned to produce more than 100 aircraft annually. The company has secured orders for 110 units, including earlier contracts for around 100 aircraft from five customers, among them logistics firm ZTO Group. Those contracts were reported to be worth more than 3 billion yuan.
The HE-1 technology demonstrator completed its first flight in September 2024, after about 18 months of development. The production-standard HE-1A is scheduled to fly before the end of 2026 and appear at the Zhuhai Airshow in December.
China’s Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Northwest Regional Administration accepted the aircraft’s type certification application in March 2026. Huaying aims to secure certification by the end of 2027, before starting commercial deliveries.
HE-2 and HE550 Under Development
Huaying Aviation is also developing two cargo aircraft:
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HE-2: A heavier unmanned cargo aircraft with a planned maximum takeoff weight of approximately 5 tons and a payload of 2 to 2.5 tons. It will feature a tail-drop capability for areas without landing sites. Development is expected to finish in 2026, with a first flight planned for 2027.
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HE550: A hybrid-powered large eVTOL designed for urban and intercity cargo transportation. It uses a front canard and tandem-wing layout, with a hybrid power system. The aircraft uses 12 electric motors for vertical takeoff and landing, switching to a twin-piston-engine and propeller configuration for cruise flight.
The HE550 has a maximum takeoff weight of 2 tons, a payload capacity of approximately 500 kg, and a cargo compartment volume of less than 5 cubic meters. It has an economic cruise speed of up to 200 km/h and a maximum range of approximately 2,000 km.
Its dimensions include a 9.5-meter fuselage length, 3.4-meter height, 14.2-meter main wingspan, and 5.5-meter canard wingspan. A full-size rear cargo door allows cargo pallets to be loaded and unloaded directly.
The HE550 is intended for intercity cargo transport, short-distance commercial logistics, and urban air cargo transfers. Its vertical takeoff capability removes the need for a runway.
Company Background
Established in July 2022, Huaying Aviation has a team that includes engineers from China’s Y-20 transport aircraft and C919 airliner programs. The company emphasizes independent design, holds intellectual property rights for its aircraft, and uses domestically produced components.
In May 2026, Huaying completed a Series A funding round exceeding 500 million yuan, involving 20 investment institutions. Reports have placed cumulative investment related to the company at around 5.3 billion yuan.
The HE-1A is moving from prototype development toward serial production and formal airworthiness certification, with commercial logistics as its primary role.
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