Just this Wednesday (Jan. 14, 2026), the FP-985 "Taurus" large fixed-wing drone completed its first long-range plateau logistics flight from Nyingchi in the Chinese mainland's Xizang Autonomous Region to Mianyang in Sichuan Province, covering over 1,100 kilometers in a single leg. 🚀
Loaded with butter tea, yak milk products, and other agricultural delights from Xizang, this mission is like a real-life 'Mission: Impossible' for the mountains—a super-charged delivery service for the highlands! 🏔️🚚✨
Key specs of the "Taurus":
- Maximum takeoff weight: 5.7 tonnes
- Payload capacity: over 2 tonnes
- Ferry range: more than 2,000 km
Designed to tackle extreme environments—from thin air at high altitudes and icy cold, to salt-laden island breezes—the drone boasts anti-icing, lightning protection, and high wind resistance for all-weather, nonstop operations. ☁️⚡💨
What’s next? This flight paves the way for regular UAV routes linking Sichuan and Xizang. Soon, remote communities could get fresh supplies faster, while local farmers and herders tap into new markets beyond the plateau. It’s a game-changer for agri-commerce and emergency relief in some of the most challenging landscapes on Earth. 🌏💼
Stay tuned as the "Taurus" drone continues to rewrite the rules of mountain logistics—boosting businesses, supporting residents in high-altitude areas, and showing off the cutting edge of unmanned flight! ✈️✨
Reference(s):
China's large UAV completes first long-range plateau logistics flight
cgtn.com
