China tests CY-8, world's heaviest cargo drone with 1,850-mile range

China has successfully conducted the first test flight of the Changying-8 (CY-8), which it claims to be the world’s heaviest cargo drone. The CY-8 is notable for its large size and payload capacity, with a maximum take-off weight of 7 tonnes—half of which is the drone itself and the other half its cargo. Measuring 17 meters in length with a 25-meter wingspan, it features a fully enclosed cargo bay of 18 cubic meters accessible via front and rear doors for efficient loading. Powered by twin turboprop engines, the drone supports short take-off and landing (STOL) on basic runways, requiring less than 500 meters for these operations, making it suitable for remote, high-altitude, and island environments such as the Tibetan Plateau. Designed for both civilian and military applications, the CY-8 offers flexible payload configurations for missions including logistics, disaster relief, emergency communications, weather modification, and electronic reconnaissance. It boasts an operational range