- Autonomous cargo plane completed 120 km mountain delivery in just 37 minutes
- Hybrid air and rail transport enabled delivery of fresh tea within 24 hours
- The CarryAll drone carries up to 400 kg with an operational range of 200 km
China-founded aerospace company AutoFlight has conducted a 2-ton class eVTOL transport trial, transporting fresh spring tea over mountainous terrain in Guizhou province.
The test used its CarryAll (V2000CG), an unmanned electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, to transport freshly harvested tea between the cities of Anshun and Guiyang, approximately 120 km apart.
This flight crossed rugged mountainous terrain in 37 minutes, a journey that typically takes much longer by road due to the winding routes and elevation changes common in the area.
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Maximum payload of 400 kg
After the plane delivered the tea to Guiyang, the shipment continued by high-speed train to Shanghai, covering a total distance of nearly 2,000 km.
The combined use of plane and train allowed tea to reach consumers within 24 hours of harvest, providing a different means of transporting urgent agricultural products from remote areas.
Unlike conventional cargo aircraft, the CarryAll operates without a pilot on board, relying on autonomous flight systems to manage navigation and route execution.
The aircraft supports a maximum payload of 400 kg and has a range of up to 200 km, with a cruising speed of around 180 km/h, making it suitable for medium-distance cargo routes where roads are slow or unreliable.
The vertical takeoff and landing capability removes the need for runways, enabling operations from compact platforms near farms or logistics centers, which could simplify deployment in mountainous or remote areas.
AutoFlight said the CarryAll (V2000CG) holds type, production and airworthiness certificates from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, making it one of the first large cargo eVTOL platforms to reach this stage of regulatory approval.
“This innovative eVTOL autonomous air transfer + high-speed rail model eliminates logistics bottlenecks in high-altitude mountainous areas. AutoFlight will join forces with more partners to expand this efficient and environmentally friendly autonomous cargo model to more specialized agricultural production areas,” said Li Yun, CCO of AutoFlight.
“This will help more high-quality local agricultural products quickly reach domestic markets, thereby promoting regional industrial upgrading and rural revitalization. »
AutoFlight’s cargo aircraft have already flown missions involving offshore platforms, intercity cargo and emergency firefighting support, showing how the technology is tested beyond controlled demonstrations.
The company is also working on a six-seat passenger version, identified as the V2000EM Prosperity, which is undergoing airworthiness certification with Chinese aviation authorities.
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