China Announces Production of First 6-Ton Zhang Ying R6000 Tiltrotor UAV
China has unveiled the first images of the Zhang Ying R6000, produced at the Wuhu Aviation Industrial Park. This 6-ton tiltrotor UAV, initially showcased by private company United Aircraft at the 2024 Singapore Airshow, is the world’s first in its category. Designed to carry ten passengers, the R6000 is currently intended for civilian missions, focusing on cargo and passenger transport, and features advanced technical specifications that set it apart from traditional aircraft.
With a cruising speed of 550 km/h, a maximum altitude of 7,620 meters, and a range of 4,000 kilometers, the R6000 demonstrates China’s technological ambitions in aviation and its approach to civil-military integration.
The R6000, also referred to as the UR6000, was displayed in a commercial livery at the Singapore Airshow, underscoring its initial role for civilian applications. However, images on United Aircraft’s website also show the UAV in the livery of the Chinese Air Force, an acknowledgment of the military-civil integration policy encouraged by the company. According to a United Aircraft representative, the tiltrotor is primarily designed for civilian operations, a statement aimed at reducing speculation regarding possible military applications.
The R6000 project builds on United Aircraft’s prior success with uncrewed coaxial helicopters developed for firefighting and emergency response missions. Previous models, such as the 600-kg TD550 and 350-kg TD220, have enabled the company to gain expertise in autonomous systems across various applications. Flight tests of the TD220, initiated a decade ago under company founder Tian Gangyin, eventually secured a military contract, establishing United Aircraft’s standing in the Chinese aviation sector.
The R6000’s architecture includes an innovative design, featuring a straight, top-mounted wing and two vertical tails that enhance aerodynamics in horizontal flight and stability during vertical flight transitions. United Aircraft has kept the engines confidential, though the propulsion system is reported to include a variable-speed gearbox to adjust thrust between vertical and horizontal flight modes.
As a forward-looking tiltrotor model, the R6000 reflects United Aircraft’s strategy of combining military and civilian technology. The first prototype is expected to be presented later this year at the Zhuhai Airshow. Although the model is currently intended for civilian missions, it remains of interest to international defense analysts, given the company’s recent successes in the military sector.
With its large-capacity design, the R6000 could redefine standards for long-range UAVs, capable of transporting passengers or cargo at unprecedented speeds and altitudes for an uncrewed aircraft of this size. Through this innovation, China not only affirms its technological capabilities in civil aviation but also pushes the boundaries of civilian and military applications.