China’s aerospace sector has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in unmanned aerial technology with its Tianmushan-1 hydrogen-powered drone setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance flight by a multirotor drone. The record-breaking flight of 188.605 kilometers was officially certified at the 7th Zhejiang International Intelligent Transportation Industry Expo in Hangzhou on December 11, 2025.
Developed by the Tianmushan Laboratory under Beihang University, the advanced drone completed this historic flight on November 16th in Hangzhou, maintaining continuous operation for over four hours. The achievement was meticulously monitored in real-time and verified by Guinness World Records officials, who confirmed the drone’s propulsion system remained exceptionally stable throughout the entire journey with exemplary handling characteristics.
The Tianmushan-1 represents a significant advancement in low-altitude economy technology, having successfully completed its maiden flight in August 2024 and entered production in April 2025. With a substantial 1,600 mm wheelbase and an empty weight of 19 kg, this zero-emission aircraft can carry payloads of up to 6 kg while delivering remarkable endurance capabilities.
Technical specifications reveal even more impressive features: the drone can achieve up to 240 minutes of unloaded flight time, operate reliably in extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to 50°C, and perform Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) autonomous operations across 100-kilometer ranges.
The practical applications for this technology span multiple sectors including high-speed ecological patrols, oil and gas pipeline surveys, renewable energy plant management, island resupply missions, urban traffic monitoring, and emergency response operations. This world record achievement underscores the substantial commercial potential of hydrogen-powered drone technology in transforming various industrial and logistical operations.