During the China-ASEAN Expo held on September 25, 2024, the Air White Whale company, a pioneer in unmanned aviation , revealed its new cargo plane, the W5000 , already considered the largest drone in the world .
This fixed-wing unmanned aircraft is specifically designed for the air cargo market, standing out for its impressive capabilities and logistical efficiency.
The world’s largest drone moves at over 500 km/h
[post_relacionado]The W5000 has a maximum take-off weight of 10.8 tonnes and can carry up to 5 tonnes of payload . Its optimised design allows for a cruising altitude of 6,000 metres and a maximum speed of 526 km/h, covering distances of up to 2,600 kilometres without the need for recharging . These specifications make it one of the most advanced solutions for modern air logistics, both nationally and internationally.
The W5000 also contributes to reducing the environmental footprint. Source: Air White Whale
The W5000’s boxy fuselage is designed to maximize cargo space, with more than 15% greater efficiency than traditional passenger-to-freight aircraft. This approach allows for greater space utilization while maintaining a lightweight structure by reducing weight by approximately 34% compared to aircraft in the same category.
The cargo hold also has an effective volume of over 65 m3 and is equipped with a rear hatch, allowing the handling of different types of cargo, including extra-long items of up to 13 metres.
Other features of the W5000
Notable features of the W5000 include the use of composite materials in its construction , which improves anti-fatigue and anti-corrosion properties, while reducing maintenance costs by more than 20% compared to metal-framed aircraft. In addition, the W5000’s autonomous driving system allows one crew to oversee 6-7 aircraft simultaneously , reducing operating costs by 40% compared to manned cargo aircraft.
Another important aspect is that the aircraft is also compatible with multiple types of standard cargo pallets such as LD3, P1P and AAA, facilitating its use in a variety of logistics scenarios, adapting to both civil and general aviation airports.
In terms of cargo transportation solutions, the W5000, in addition to promising efficiency and reduced operating costs, contributes to reducing the environmental footprint in the logistics industry , taking a step forward towards decarbonization .
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Source and photo: Air White Whale