WDS 2026 – China Xinxing showcases its XX-20 unmanned cargo aircraft and announces new version to fly soon

The model of a transport aircraft was dominating the stand of the Xinxing Import and Export Chinese company at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. Not a major news in itself, should it not be an unmanned aircraft, which brings us in a new era of logistic transport

Known as XX-20 or CH-YH1000, it is capable to operate from grass strips and dirt runways and will therefore be able to deliver supplies close to the frontline without risking the life of aircrew members, and at a speed that is definitely higher compared to that of helicopters. A 300 metres long strip is sufficient for landing at maximum payload, unload 1.2 tonnes of supplies, and take off; at full load a 350 metres long space is required, but usually in a resupply mission take-off mass on the way back is considerably lower than the 2.3 tonnes maximum take off mass, as the load will be lesser, and part of the 300 kg fuel have been burned.

The transport bay has a volume of 5 m3, no data about dimensions being available. The airframe configuration is quite conventional, the high straight wing ensuring maximum distance between the four-blade propellers and the ground, as well as between the turboprop air intakes and the soil. The wide square-section fuselage terminates at the rear with the raising shape typical of short take-off and landing aircraft. To land on rough surfaces like grass or dirt a strong landing gear is needed; although no details were visible the two sponsons visible in the lower central part of the fuselage let imagine a multiple-wheel gear that sustains the main load, a single wheel front gear completing the landing system.

While front line resupply is certainly one of its main tasks, the huge payload allows the XX-20 to be kitted for other types of mission, the 1,500 km operational range being apt to perform, for example, maritime patrol missions or air surveillance missions that need long endurance. Being a transport and not a combat aircraft, the XX-20 is a dual product, and in its first iteration has already found an export customer in Malaysia. The aircraft which model was exhibited at WDS was the XX-20.1, a further upgraded version being expected for mid-2026, according to Xinxing. No details were available on the various upgrade steps, the company underlining that the aircraft can be customised to answer the requirements of national and export users.

Photo by P. Valpolini