Jinghong Drone, a leading manufacturer of heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicles, today announced the successful deployment of its cargo drone in a challenging hydraulic infrastructure project in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province. By replacing traditional manual transport methods with aerial logistics, the company reduced the project timeline from 45 days to just 15 days — a 67% acceleration — while dramatically improving worker safety and cutting operational costs.

The Wenchuan hydraulic construction project required laying 150 kg composite plastic pipes on steep mountain slopes. Traditional manual transport proved dangerously slow: workers took days to move just a few pipes across rugged terrain with no road access. The entire project was originally projected to take 45 days. Jinghong‘s client needed a faster, safer solution to meet the deadline — and found it in the company‘s heavy-lift cargo drone.

Operational Results – Efficiency Gains and Safety Improvements

The Jinghong heavy-lift cargo drone, designed specifically for heavy loads and difficult terrain, replaced both manual labor and vehicle transport, delivering each 150 kg pipe directly to the mountain installation site. With its high payload capacity and autonomous navigation system, the drone maintained stable flight over uneven terrain, significantly reducing trip times and eliminating the safety risks associated with workers hauling heavy materials across unstable slopes.

Key project results include:

• Project timeline compressed from 45 days to 15 days — a 67% reduction
• Transport efficiency increased by nearly 30%
• Zero safety incidents — ground crews kept at safe distance during all operations
• Reduced labor requirements and lower overall project costs
• Completion on schedule, meeting all client deadlines

The drone‘s stable flight characteristics and autonomous navigation capabilities enabled smooth operations across the site‘s challenging topography. By keeping ground crews at a safe distance during all lifts, the project eliminated fall hazards and physical strain that have traditionally plagued high-altitude construction work.

Policy Context – Sichuan‘s Push for Low-Altitude Economy and Drone Logistics

The success of the Wenchuan project aligns with significant policy momentum in Sichuan Province, which has emerged as a national leader in low-altitude economy development. As of late 2025, Sichuan had established nearly 200 low-altitude flight routes and recorded over 100,000 cumulative flight hours, ranking among the top provinces nationwide for drone logistics adoption.

In June 2024, the Sichuan Provincial Government issued comprehensive guidelines for promoting low-altitude economic development. The policy explicitly calls for building an aviation logistics network that integrates drones into last-mile delivery operations, supporting the use of existing airports for cargo drone routes, and achieving logistics connectivity between urban and rural areas. The guidelines also target the completion of 20 general airports and over 100 vertical takeoff and landing sites by 2027, alongside the cultivation of three to five industry-leading enterprises in UAV manufacturing and low-altitude flight operations.

Sichuan has also been selected as a pilot zone for new drone flight clearance procedures. Authorities are promoting a “scan-and-fly” WeChat mini-program that offers streamlined fast-track approvals for low-risk flights within designated pilot areas. The province is actively exploring integrated airspace management mechanisms that enable drones, helicopters, and conventional aircraft to share the same airspace efficiently and safely.

Broader Implications – Drones Reshaping Infrastructure Construction

Wenchuan‘s experience reflects a nationwide trend. Across China, heavy-lift cargo drones are increasingly being deployed for infrastructure projects in remote and mountainous regions where building access roads is difficult or impossible. Fleets of cargo drones have already transported hundreds of tonnes of construction materials — including cement, concrete, steel, and piping — completing deliveries in days rather than the weeks traditionally required by ground transport.

In Wenchuan itself, drone logistics have become integral to major infrastructure initiatives. Local reports indicate that the Weimian Water Conservancy Project, a core livelihood project in Wenchuan‘s 14th Five-Year Plan for water security, has successfully deployed drones to transport pipe fittings, cement, and sand across mountain ridges. The project, with a total investment of 128 million yuan, involves constructing nine water intake hubs, laying 76.57 kilometers of gravity pipelines, and building 91 storage reservoirs covering approximately 1.876 million mu of irrigated farmland.

The technology has also demonstrated significant value in emergency response. In a region historically prone to earthquakes and landslides, heavy-lift drones provide a critical lifeline when roads are blocked. Local authorities have noted that 500 kg-class drones are now being introduced to transport construction materials, power tower components, and communication equipment, as well as to bring high-altitude agricultural products to market.

Market projections underscore the sector‘s momentum. According to industry research, the global heavy-lift cargo drone market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 34.5% from 2026 to 2032. China‘s drone logistics market is experiencing particularly rapid growth, driven by increasing demand for efficient delivery solutions in remote and challenging environments.

About the Jinghong Heavy-Lift Cargo Drone

The drone used in the Wenchuan project is part of Jinghong‘s industrial-grade cargo lineup, featuring carbon fiber construction, IP67 weatherproofing, and autonomous navigation systems capable of adapting to complex terrain in real time. Key specifications include:

• Maximum payload: Up to 150 kg
• Flight time (no load): 62 minutes
• Maximum range (no load): 44.6 km
• Waterproof rating: IP67 — dustproof and rain-resistant
• Navigation: GPS-guided with real-time terrain adaptation

Jinghong holds over 30 independent patents and has deployed drones across more than 30 countries, including the United States, Poland, France, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia. The company offers comprehensive after-sales support, including operator training, maintenance guides, and guaranteed spare parts availability.

About Jinghong Drone

Jinghong Drone is a China-based manufacturer of high-performance UAVs for cargo logistics, agricultural spraying, and ecological restoration. With a focus on industrial-grade durability, weatherproof construction, and autonomous precision navigation, Jinghong provides turnkey aerial logistics solutions that help operators overcome challenging terrain, reduce costs, and enhance safety.

Media Contact

Company Name: Jinghong Drone
Email: info@jinghongdrone.com
Country: China
Website: https://jinghongdrone.com/