AutoFlight's Carryall eVTOL Targets New Aerial Firefighting Frontier
The Carryall V2000CG is a 2-ton class unmanned cargo eVTOL, the world's only ton-class eVTOL to have received both a Type Certificate (TC) and a Production Certificate (PC).
AutoFlight, an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft company based in Shanghai, is making strides in the aerial firefighting sector with its Carryall V2000CG cargo eVTOL . The Carryall V2000CG recently participated in the "Emergency Mission 2025" exercise, becoming the first ton-class eVTOL to join a national-level emergency firefighting drill in China.
During the exercise, a red and white Carryall V2000CG eVTOL took off from the Jiagedaqi Fire Brigade in Heilongjiang, flying 22 kilometres (13.7 miles) across the Greater Khingan Mountains' primaeval forest in just eight minutes. Upon reaching its target, it successfully deployed fire-extinguishing bombs and emergency supplies, demonstrating its capability in tackling challenging scenarios, such as cliff fires, which are often inaccessible to traditional rescue teams.
The Carryall: A Versatile and Certified eVTOL
The Carryall V2000CG is a 2-ton class unmanned cargo eVTOL, notably, it is the world's only ton-class eVTOL to have received both a Type Certificate (TC) and a Production Certificate (PC).
The firefighting variant of the Carryall is derived from its cargo version. It boasts a maximum payload of 400 kilograms (880 pounds), a range of 250 kilometres (155 miles), and a cruising speed of 200 kilometres or 112-124 miles per hour. To facilitate the deployment of fire extinguishing bombs and emergency supplies, the firefighting model features a downward-opening cabin door and is equipped with enhanced communication systems, including satellite broadband.
Sun Ming, Senior Vice President of AutoFlight, highlighted the complexities of operating in such environments, stating the need to understand surrounding mountains, wind direction, and satellite links for flight path planning, in addition to precisely identifying fire locations for effective extinguishing.
Paving the Way for Future Emergency Response
The successful demonstration of the Carryall in "Emergency Mission 2025" underscores the immense potential of heavy-lift eVTOL aircraft as a new force in extreme disaster scenarios. This integration of advanced technology with emergency response teams lays a solid foundation for the broader adoption and application of eVTOLs in firefighting and other emergencies.
While traditional fuel-powered aircraft like firefighting planes and helicopters remain the mainstream in China's aerial emergency rescue sector, eVTOLs are emerging as a crucial new type of emergency equipment. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with four other ministries, jointly issued an action plan in 2023, advocating for the promotion of advanced safety and emergency equipment, which has achieved significant technological and application advancements.
The Carryall's ability to vertically take off and land, combined with its high-speed forward flight, allows for flexible deployment without the need for traditional airports or runways, making it ideal for remote forest fire outposts. Its extended range and speed enable rapid response and wide coverage, allowing for quick reach of destinations via beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) direct flights. The Carryall is expected to be delivered to customers throughout 2025.
Source: Jiemian