The W5000, a revolutionary freight drone just introduced by Chinese aviation firm Air White Whale, is said to be the largest unmanned cargo drone in the world. At an event in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, Chairman and CEO Hu Zhendong unveiled the W5000, a vehicle built for the future of effective air freight. Hu underlined how airfreight might be revolutionized by huge cargo drones like the W5000, which offer excellent operating efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The W5000 stands out with a payload capacity of 5 tons and a maximum takeoff weight of 10.8 metric tons. With an impressive cargo space of over 2,295 cubic feet (65 cubic meters), it’s engineered as a flexible cargo platform tailored for air logistics. Built with a twin-turboprop design, the drone incorporates an upper monoplane with a rectangular fuselage, low horizontal tailplane (HTP), and forward three-point retractable landing gear, enabling it to take off and land at general aviation airports.
Measuring 75 feet in length, with a wingspan of 74 feet and a height of 24 feet, the W5000 has a considerable range of up to 1,615 miles (2,600 kilometers) and a maximum cruise altitude of 19,685 feet. It can reach speeds up to 326.8 miles per hour (526 km/h), rivaling many conventional cargo aircraft in performance. The W5000 also offers the same safety standards as large commercial aircraft, compatible with standard cargo pallets and adaptable to diverse loading methods.
The W5000 is monitored autonomously, allowing a single crew to oversee multiple drones, significantly reducing operating costs. Air White Whale states that W5000’s flight costs are only 10% of comparable manned aircraft, with cost efficiency per ton-kilometer 40% lower. The startup has applied for airworthiness certification with the Civil Aviation Administration of China, aiming to begin deliveries in 2026. This drone, Air White Whale believes, is set to play a pivotal role in the future of logistics, underscoring China’s expanding role in drone innovation.