Dubai Airshow 2025 – Heavy lift, high ambition: China’s FWH-3000 drone redefines unmanned transport
A new giant has emerged in the skies above autonomous global logistics: the Chinese FWH-3000 transport drone, an unmanned aviation system engineered for unprecedented cargo versatility and operational impact
The FWH-3000 is immediately impressive for its size and Chinook-inspired design. Measuring 6.5 metres in length, 1.4 metres in width, and standing 2.5 metres tall, it combines compact proportions with the power needed for heavy-lift missions. Its imposing airframe is built around a robust tandem-rotor layout, an architecture chosen for its remarkable stability and lifting capability even in adverse conditions.
The core of its utility is a cavernous internal cabin offering 4.2 m2 of space, ample room sufficient to accommodate two 500 kg standard cargo pallets, or for medical evacuation, up to six casualties on stretchers. This makes the FWH-3000 extremely flexible for a range of transport and emergency missions. The reinforced landing gear ensures safe operation from unprepared surfaces, while the bay can be reconfigured for internal or external load carriage according to operational demands.
The drone’s maximum take-off mass is rated at 2,500 kg, with a maximum payload capacity of 1,000 kg. Powered by a robust propulsion system, the FWH-3000 can maintain performance across a range of elevations and weather scenarios, including wind speeds up to 61 km/h. The overall endurance is up to five hours per flight, while the cruising speed sits between 120 and 140 km/h, with a maximum speed approaching 180 km/h. Its operational ferry range is up to 600 km on a single sortie.
Operational altitude is just as formidable, with a service ceiling of 6,500 metres, giving it excellent utility for high-altitude operations where many manned aircraft and most UAVs would struggle.
Structurally, the FWH-3000’s airframe has been engineered for repeated heavy-duty use, with corrosion-resistant materials and reinforced stress points for high-load endurance. The tandem-rotor configuration minimises downwash and footprint, making the aircraft effective in confined, mountainous, or disaster-hit environments. The FWH-3000 is designed to carry out operations in moderate rain and prolonged dusty or coastal conditions.
Adapted for both civilian and military tasks, this platform features intelligent navigation, autonomous take-off and landing, GNSS-guided flight, and selectable mission profiles. Cargo can be delivered within the bay or via winch and sling, with rapid reconfiguration for oversized or irregular loads. The entire system has been optimised for deployment on remote islands, highland plateaux, or in the aftermath of disasters—making it a truly next-generation platform for modern logistics, medevac and military resupply.
With its blend of industrial strength, modularity and advanced autonomy, the FWH-3000 positions itself as a new benchmark in large-scale UAV logistics. Whether deployed for disaster response or remote area logistics, this Chinese innovation is poised to transform the boundaries of unmanned aerial transport for years to come.
Photos by J. Roukoz
