Chinese OEM United Aircraft Unveils Large Tiltrotor Project

SINGAPORE—Private Chinese aviation company United Aircraft has unveiled a concept design at the Singapore Airshow here for an autonomous tiltrotor intended to fly cargo missions in the near term and seven-10 passengers in the long term.

The first prototype of the 6-ton United Aircraft UR6000 is planned to be unveiled at Airshow China in Zhuhai later this year, a company official tells Aviation Week.

United Aircraft, a Shenzhen-based manufacturer of several fielded uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), started developing the UR6000 after fielding a family of coaxial uncrewed helicopters for firefighting and civil emergency missions, including the 600-kg (1,300-lb.) TD550 and the 350-kg TD220.

Tian Gangyin, the United Aircraft founder, launched flight tests of the TD220 a decade ago and won a military contract, the company’s website says. “Since then, Tian has led his team on a military-civil integration path of strengthening the army with technologies and contributing to the nation,” the website adds.

In Singapore, the company’s exhibit booth shows a concept image of the UR6000 in commercial colors, but the company’s website displays the same aircraft in the livery of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. However, United Aircraft officials insist the aircraft is only being developed for civilian purposes.

The identity of the engines for the UR6000 is considered private by the company, but the propulsion system will include a variable-speed gearbox to account for different thrust requirements in vertical and horizontal flight modes, the official says. The aircraft concept features a straight, top-mounted wing and two vertical tails.

A model of the TD550 on display in Singapore is shown with two launcher pods on each side of the aircraft. Although seemingly compatible with guided and unguided rockets, a company official explains that the launcher pods were used for aerial firefighting. Each of the seven rockets was filled with a fire retardant chemical, which could be fired into a high-rise building engulfed in flames to dispense the payload.