A Chinese Chinook-style unmanned helicopter capable of operating in extreme conditions – from the Himalayas to the South China Sea – has successfully completed its maiden flight, according to its maker.
The Boying T1400 heavy-lift tandem-rotor drone, developed by the privately owned United Aircraft Technology, is expected to significantly boost resupply capabilities to areas such as high-altitude regions and seas. The aircraft, which superficially resembles the US Army’s Boeing Chinook CH-47 with its twin-rotor design, passed its first test flight last Thursday in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province in northeast China, the company said. The T1400 has a maximum take-off weight of 1,400kg (3,090lbs) and a payload of up to 650kg (1,430lbs), carried inside the cabin or via an external sling load. Its maximum speed is 180km/h (112mph).

Full report : China’s Chinook-style heavy-duty helicopter drone makes debut with successful test flight.