The world's largest unmanned cargo aircraft! China's W5000 unmanned aerial vehicle final assembly line equipped with two AEP100 engines

On October 18th, the W5000 unmanned cargo aircraft was successfully assembled and produced in Changzhou. It is said that the aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 10.8 tons, a maximum payload capacity of 5 tons, a flight range of 2600 kilometers, and is equipped with two domestically produced new turboprop engines AEP100, making it the world's largest unmanned cargo aircraft.

According to relevant data, the W5000 adopts a traditional turboprop structure design, with a wingspan of 22.70 meters, a vertical tail of 7.51 meters, and a length of 22.89 meters. It is one of the largest cargo drones in China in terms of load capacity, range, overall safety, and cargo efficiency and cost.

It is worth noting that the drone is equipped with two AEP100 engines independently developed by AVIC. It is reported that this engine is a 900 kW civilian turboprop engine developed by AVIC based on the independently developed AES100 turboshaft engine. The engine is developed strictly in accordance with airworthiness requirements, meeting the power requirements of single engine general aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles ranging from 2 tons to 5 tons or double engine general aircraft ranging from 5 tons to 10 tons, with comprehensive performance reaching the advanced level of international active duty.

The W5000 unmanned cargo aircraft adopts autonomous driving and ground monitoring. One crew can monitor 6 to 7 aircraft, and the crew cost is only 1/10 of that of manned aircraft of the same level. The W5000 has advantages in operating costs and efficiency, with a ton kilometer cost reduction of over 40% compared to manned cargo planes of the same level. The transit time at civil and general airports is only 15 minutes. At present, the airworthiness application has been accepted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and the first aircraft is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2026. The W5000 will make its global debut at the 15th Zhuhai Airshow this year.