Nanchang has been intensifying its focus on the low-altitude economy this year, fostering deep integration of industry, academia, and research while aligning innovation chains with industrial chains. From breakthroughs in university labs and accelerated product launches by local firms to visits and collaboration talks from leading companies nationwide, the city is seeing a surge in low-altitude economic innovations and a continuously improving industrial ecosystem, injecting strong momentum into high-quality economic growth.

Steady Output of Scientific Innovations

Innovation serves as the core engine for the low-altitude economy. Universities in Nanchang are ramping up R&D investments in this sector, achieving multiple breakthroughs in key technologies and delivering a steady stream of scientific results. At the recent 10th China Aerospace Power Joint Conference, Nanchang Hangkong University showcased its "multi-hole pneumatic probe" technology, which attracted significant attention. "This is the multi-hole pneumatic probe," said Lu Huawei, head of the university's drone wind resistance team, holding a metal rod covered in small holes. "Applying this technology to drone wind resistance is a first according to expert evaluation. Traditional flight control systems can only passively correct posture without predicting airflow changes, leading to operational errors and safety risks. This technology solves that key industry problem." The team has adapted mature large-aircraft probe technology for industrial drones, using micron-level 3D metal printing to shrink the sensor from the size of a TV set-top box to that of a matchbox. After installation, the system enables drones to acquire wind field data in milliseconds, adjust posture in advance, and improve wind resistance by one to two levels. In Nanchang High-tech Zone, Lu Huawei's team has established Nanchang Liuxi Technology Co., Ltd., which is accelerating the technology's commercialization. "The technology is expected to complete system integration by the end of this year and hit the market early next year," Lu stated. The achievement has already garnered interest from several companies. Beyond Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang Institute of Technology's low-altitude economy R&D team has also made significant progress. The institute, in collaboration with Harbin Institute of Technology, has developed a long-endurance fixed-wing hydrogen-powered drone. Harbin Institute of Technology developed the power system, while Nanchang Institute of Technology handles the airframe and other systems. Using hydrogen fuel cells for power, this model extends the flight time of similar drones from 60-120 minutes to an impressive 240-300 minutes. This leap in endurance gives the drone significant advantages in applications like power line inspections, pipeline monitoring, emergency communication relay, and large-scale surveying, filling a technological gap for long-endurance industrial drones in the province.

Companies Accelerate New Product Launches

In recent years, local low-altitude economy enterprises in Nanchang have continuously achieved new milestones in application scenarios through technological iteration, practical use, and market expansion. Nanchang Airspace Future Group has been deepening R&D and scenario deployment in low-altitude security and drone swarms. In late July, the 2026 International Low-Altitude Economy Expo was held in Shanghai, where Airspace Future showcased its airspace awareness solutions, highlighting a series of products for low-altitude safety and control. Among them, the "Air Sentry" series drone remote identification station can monitor drone operations around the clock, with an effective detection range of 5-6 kilometers. A single station can simultaneously monitor 50-100 drone targets, accurately capturing core information like flight ID, speed, altitude, coordinates, and remote controller location. The "Air Patrol-W1" remote identification shoulder light, designed for frontline law enforcement and security personnel, weighs just 58 grams. It can be worn on the shoulder, providing high-visibility alerts while identifying drone signals within 1 kilometer and triggering audible and visual alarms. Airspace Future's products garnered widespread attention at the Shanghai expo, with multiple security units and low-altitude operators expressing interest in collaboration. Additionally, the company's "Small Ball Smart Patrol S300" indoor collision-proof inspection drone, featuring 360-degree physical protection and high-precision LiDAR, has been successfully deployed in complex environments like mines, pipe galleries, factory floors, and underground tunnels, demonstrating strong market competitiveness. Low-altitude industries across Nanchang are accelerating, with continuous improvement of the full-chain development system. In the first half of this year, Xinjian District achieved a milestone in its low-altitude economy: local company Dayun (Jiangxi) Aviation Industry Co., Ltd. completed field spraying test flights for its self-developed DY50A crop protection drone. This marks the first complete locally assembled drone in Xinjian District, signifying that the local low-altitude industry has unlocked the entire chain from R&D and production to test flights. The model is equipped with a fully autonomous flight control system, has a maximum takeoff weight of 99 kg, and can achieve a stable daily operation of 500-800 mu (approximately 33-53 hectares). The company is currently fulfilling an order of 100 units for Kenya, with plans for batch export soon. At the Jiangxi provincial cooperation platform exhibition center of EHang, the company's self-developed unmanned aerial vehicles are on display, showcasing products to the public.

Leading Companies Attracted to Nanchang

A strong industrial foundation and favorable business environment continue to attract leading national low-altitude companies to Nanchang for inspections, discussions, and collaboration opportunities. Shanghai Fengfei Aviation Technology Co., Ltd., a leading global eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft R&D and manufacturing company, focuses on the low-altitude economy, providing complete solutions for aerial logistics and vertical mobility. Recently, the company's Chairman and CEO, Tian Yu, visited Nanchang to experience its low-altitude economy innovation and entrepreneurship environment. "Nanchang has great potential for developing the low-altitude economy, which aligns highly with Feifei Aviation's development strategy," Tian Yu stated. He expressed a commitment to leveraging the company's strengths to deepen communication and cooperation with Nanchang, engaging in practical collaboration in areas like low-altitude logistics, tourism, emergency response, and aviation talent training, contributing to the high-quality development of Nanchang's low-altitude economy. Similarly, CEO Deng Jianghua of Shenzhen Damosi Intelligent Control Technology Co., Ltd. recently led a team to Honggutan District for in-depth inspections on low-altitude economy development, drone scenario implementation, and sci-tech innovation industry integration. "Nanchang has outstanding geographical advantages, a strong atmosphere for technological innovation, huge development potential, and a high-quality business environment, providing a solid foundation for enterprise development," Deng Jianghua remarked. "In the future, Shenzhen Damosi will fully leverage its core strengths in drone swarm intelligent control, low-altitude scenario R&D, and industrialization to precisely align with Nanchang's industrial development and urban construction needs. We will actively deploy new business models and scenarios in the low-altitude economy and deepen cooperation in fields like science and technology innovation, cultural tourism, and urban governance." From cutting-edge breakthroughs in university labs to batch deliveries from production lines, and with leading national low-altitude companies coming to discuss cooperation, Nanchang is steadily advancing the high-end, large-scale development of its low-altitude economy industrial sector. The low-altitude power of "Nanchang Smart Manufacturing" is truly taking flight.