Chinese researchers successfully test world first bamboo composite drone achieving speeds of sixty two miles per hour

Chinese researchers fly a bamboo fiber drone reaching 62 mph, offering a 20 percent weight reduction and lower costs compared to carbon fiber aircraft.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 3:32 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Interesting Engineering

Development and technical specifications of the bamboo UAV

Researchers from the International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan, Beihang University’s Ningbo Innovation Research Institute, and Long Bamboo Technology Group recently conducted a successful test flight of a bamboo composite drone in Tianjin. The aircraft features a wingspan of 8 feet 2 inches and weighs approximately 15 pounds. This unmanned aerial vehicle is designed for vertical takeoff and landing, maintains a cruise speed exceeding 62 miles per hour, and possesses an operational endurance of more than one hour. The project marks a significant shift toward utilizing sustainable, biodegradable materials in aviation manufacturing.

Economic and structural advantages over carbon fiber

The bamboo based composite material serves as a direct replacement for traditional carbon fiber cloth, which is known for high energy consumption during production and poor degradability. According to the research team, the new bamboo material costs approximately one quarter of the price of standard carbon fiber. This price disparity results in an overall structural cost reduction of more than 20 percent for the drone. Additionally, the airframe is 20 percent lighter than comparable high strength carbon fiber models, with bamboo based composites comprising more than 25 percent of the total structure, including the fuselage skin.

Rigorous testing and aviation performance standards

Project lead Qin Daochun, who serves as the director of the bamboo center, oversaw more than 100 experiments to ensure the material met strict airworthiness standards. The development process focused on overcoming technical challenges related to molding processes, environmental adaptability, and mechanical performance. The final composite demonstrates high strength, toughness, and formability. Flight tests documented by China Green Times confirmed that the drone satisfies requirements for mechanical strength, elastic modulus, flight stability, and shock resistance, proving the material's viability for demanding aerospace applications.