On October 12th， as reported by KuaiZhiZhi， JD Logistics announced a significant advancement in aerial logistics. A large， four-engine civilian drone recently took flight from Huai’an Airport in Chengdu. Approximately 1.5 hours later， the aircraft successfully landed at Hexi Airport in Dazhou， carrying several boxes of premium Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs.
JD Logistics emphasized that this flight marked the successful completion of a key verification test for their trunk and branch low-altitude logistics operations in Sichuan. Furthermore， it represented another important stride following the official opening of the first large-scale drone logistics low-altitude air route within Sichuan province. This achievement underscoresJD Logistics’ commitment to pioneering innovative delivery solutions in challenging terrains.
A distinct feature of this particular logistics operation was its utilization of a cross-provincial air-to-air relay mode， specifically the “Jiangsu – Chengdu， Sichuan – Dazhou， Sichuan” route. This approach optimizes the transfer of goods across vast distances and diverse geographical areas.
The Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs transported in this instance were initially shipped by air from their origin in Jiangsu province directly to Chengdu. From Chengdu， a specialized branch-line drone then undertook the crucial task of delivering them to their destination in the mountainous regions of eastern Sichuan. This integrated approach highlights a seamless transition from long-haul airfreight to localized drone delivery.
The large four-engine civilian drone utilized in this verification test flight.
The branch-line segment of this operation featured a large， four-engine civilian drone. This impressive aircraft boasts a maximum takeoff weight of 4.35 tons and a payload capacity of 1.8 tons. Notably， even with a 1.5-ton payload， it can achieve a flight range exceeding 1500 kilometers. This capability is crucial for serving remote areas and maintaining consistent delivery schedules.
This development signifies another substantial breakthrough in the realm of large-tonnage drone freight logistics within China. The successful deployment of such a capable drone demonstrates the potential for these uncrewed aerial vehicles to handle significant cargo volumes， opening new possibilities for the logistics industry.
The mountainous terrain of eastern Sichuan presents considerable challenges for traditional land-based transportation， often impacting delivery times. The implementation of large cargo drone delivery has significantly condensed the transit time between Chengdu and Dazhou to under 2 hours. This represents a reduction of over 50% compared to conventional road transport， showcasing the efficiency gains offered by drone technology in difficult geographies.
Looking ahead， this newly established air route is poised to benefit not only perishable goods like hairy crabs but also to provide rapid and efficient solutions for emergency scenarios， such as the urgent delivery of medical supplies. The versatility of this drone network suggests a wide range of critical applications.
JD Logistics initiated its drone project in 2015 and has since established a comprehensive three-tiered drone logistics system， encompassing trunk lines， branch lines， and last-mile delivery. This integrated approach ensures a robust and scalable network for drone-based transportation. As of the current reporting period， JD Logistics’ drones have been engaged in pilot operations across multiple provinces nationwide， underscoring their ongoing expansion and commitment to technological advancement in logistics.
