On January 9, a low-altitude aircraft of Aisheng Group equipped with the Yuchai YCU170 engine was successfully launched. It completed full-process tests, including hovering, route flight and power stability, at an altitude of 1,500 meters, which signifies the successful maiden flight of the aircraft jointly developed by the two parties.
This maiden flight not only validates the perfect compatibility between Yuchai's low-altitude power equipment and high-end aircraft, but also represents a milestone breakthrough for Yuchai in achieving full-scenario power coverage across sea, land and air. It provides strong momentum for the independent R&D and application of core power equipment in China's low-altitude aircraft industry.
As the core power support for this maiden flight, the Yuchai YCU170 low-altitude power unit demonstrates robust technical capabilities. It is part of the medium-sized aerial engine series specifically developed by Yuchai for the low-altitude economy sector, a refined product built on years of expertise in the power industry. Adopting heavy fuel engine technology, it boasts three core advantages: safety and reliability, flexible fuel options, and ultra-long endurance. It can seamlessly switch between diesel and aviation kerosene to meet refueling requirements in various scenarios. With a maximum cruising range of 1,000 kilometers and a continuous flight time of up to 12 hours, it effectively addresses the challenges of long-duration operations for low-altitude aircraft.
Notably, the maiden flight was conducted on the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi. The complex mountainous terrain and low-temperature plateau environment place high demands on the stability and environmental adaptability of power systems. The Yuchai YCU170 maintained stable power output throughout the entire test process and successfully passed all operational inspections, including climbing, hovering, cruising and landing. Its zero-fault performance fully demonstrates the superior reliability of Yuchai's power products and lays a solid technical foundation for future large-scale promotion and application.
Building on the fruitful achievements of this maiden flight, Yuchai has accelerated its strategic layout in the low-altitude power sector. Currently, it has established a comprehensive multi-scenario low-altitude power product portfolio. A series of new low-altitude power products with a power range of 10 kW to 400 kW will be launched to fully meet the market demands of diverse application fields, including low-altitude logistics, agricultural and forestry plant protection, surveying and mapping exploration, and emergency rescue.
Going forward, Yuchai will enhance in-depth cooperation with partners including Aisheng in core business areas. Leveraging advanced technologies and full-spectrum Yuchai solutions, with its base in Guangxi and business expansion nationwide, Yuchai will provide more reliable and efficient domestic power support for the trillion-yuan low-altitude economy market. Let the power core crafted by Chinese intelligent manufacturing drive the low-altitude industry toward broader development prospects.