China tests world’s first bamboo fiber drone with one-hour endurance

Chinese researchers have successfully tested the world’s first fixed-wing drone featuring bamboo-based composite wings, marking a significant advancement in sustainable and cost-effective aircraft materials. Developed collaboratively by the International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, Beihang University’s Ningbo Innovation Research Institute, and Long Bamboo Technology Group, the drone boasts an 8-foot-2-inch wingspan, weighs about 15 pounds, and can fly for over an hour at speeds exceeding 62 mph. The bamboo composite material used in more than 25% of the drone’s structure, including the fuselage skin, is over 20% lighter and reduces structural costs by more than 20% compared to traditional carbon fiber, which is energy-intensive to produce and non-biodegradable. The research team emphasized that the bamboo composite meets stringent aviation standards after extensive testing of its mechanical strength, toughness, and formability. Project lead Qin Daochun highlighted the challenges overcome in molding processes and environmental adaptability, with over 100 experiments ensuring the material