China’s FP-985 Cargo Drone Flies Over 1,100 km in High-Altitude Areas

China’s FP-985 large cargo drone, with a payload capacity of 2 tons and based on the An-2 aircraft, has flown over 1,100 km in high-altitude areas.

The Chinese CGTN reported on this.

The FP-985 Taurus large unmanned aerial vehicle completed a long-distance logistics flight over high-altitude terrain between Sichuan Province and the Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China.

Developed by Aerospace Times Feipeng and first unveiled in August 2024, the drone is designed to operate in complex environments such as high mountains, islands, and other remote regions. It features short takeoff and landing capability at standard airfields and can operate from poorly equipped runways.

“We modified the piston engine so the drone can operate at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level as effectively as it does on the plains,” shared Wei Yachuan, the UAV’s chief designer.

The company said the aircraft is capable of 24-hour, all-weather operations. It is equipped with anti-icing protection, lightning protection, and strong wind resistance.

The design is believed to be based on a modified Soviet-era An-2 transport aircraft. The use of a more powerful engine allowed designers to abandon the original biplane configuration in favor of a monoplane layout.

The manufacturer says the drone has a maximum takeoff weight of 5.7 tons and a payload capacity of 2 tons. It has a cruising speed of 200 km/h and a service ceiling of up to 7,500 meters.