In a groundbreaking feat of engineering and unmanned aviation, China has successfully used drones to transport over 180 tonnes of steel and concrete up a remote mountain, marking a historic milestone in construction and logistics.
This first-of-its-kind operation was carried out by a fleet of heavy-lift cargo drones, designed to navigate extreme altitudes and harsh weather conditions. The materials were used to construct critical infrastructure for a hydroelectric project and observation facility situated more than 2,500 meters above sea level.
The project, hailed as a revolution in mountainous construction, avoided building temporary roads or using helicopters, significantly reducing the environmental footprint and costs.
Officials say the operation is a world-first in both scale and precision using drones for heavy industrial material transport in such terrain. Engineers monitored every drone via satellite navigation and real-time AI flight systems to ensure zero material loss or flight failure.
China’s Ministry of Industry called it a “new era for smart logistics,” with plans to replicate the model in inaccessible regions across Asia and Africa.
This operation is expected to transform infrastructure building in hard-to-reach areas, including disaster zones and war-affected territories, where traditional transport is too dangerous or impossible.
