Autoflight V400 Albatross
V400 Albatross
Autoflight
Shanghai, China
www.autoflight.com
Mr. Tian Yu founded Autoflight in 2016 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. Autoflight is an aviation technology company specialized in the research and development of autonomous flight and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology and aircraft manufacturing. Autoflight has set up research and development facilities in Munich, Germany and in Shenzhen, China, and have several manufacturing facilities across China. Mr. Tian Yu is also the founder of Yuneec, the predecessor of Autoflight, which was a world leader in consumer drones and the manufacturer of the e-Spyder single-seat electric ultralight and E430 two-seat electric ultralight which first flew in June 2009.
Autoflight V400 unveiling on Sept. 13, 2020, Shenzhen, China
Safety and reliability is a top priority for Autoflight, and the company is applying interdisciplinary technologies to their aviation products. This includes new materials, artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, sense and avoid in the air technology, multi-redundant flight control systems, microelectronics, 4G and 5G telecommunication systems for multi-channel communication, ground radar assisted remote takeoff and landing function and many others. The addition of such technologies makes the V400 safer, accessible, affordable, more intelligent and environmentally friendly.
The craft uses eight VTOL propellers for vertical takeoff. In forward flight, the all electric version uses one pusher and one puller propeller, and the hybrid-electric has one pusher propeller. When in forward flight, the aircraft uses its forward propellers and flies with its wings which increases the range and efficiency of the aircraft.
The company foresees the V400 for express logistics, standard cargo delivery, emergency material transportation, medical rescue, fire rescue, disaster relief, industry and government use. The aircraft is versatile enough to be an effective cargo delivery aircraft in cities and in remote areas.
Autoflight has completed the construction of a V400 prototype and plans on completing its maiden flight by the end of 2020. Autoflight unveiled then V400 Albatross on Sept. 13, 2020, at the 2020 World UAV Federation’s 2020 Drone World Congress in Shenzhen, China. Autoflight is also accepting orders for the V400.
Specifications:
- Aircraft type: eVTOL and hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drone
- Piloting: Autonomous
- Capacity: No passengers, cargo only
- Payload: 100 kg (220.46 lbs)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 400 kg (881.85 lbs)
- Range: 300 km (186 miles) all electric, 1000 km (621.37 miles) hybrid-electric
- Maximum VTOL takeoff altitude: 5,000 meters, MSL (16,404 feet)
- Electric propellers: 8 VTOL and 2 propellers for forward flight (one pusher and one forward propeller, a push pull propeller configuration)
- Hybrid-electric propellers: 8 VTOL and 1 pusher propeller
- Airframe: Carbon fiber composite
- Length: 6.67 meters (21.88 feet)
- Height: 1.1 meters (3.6 feet)
- Wingspan: 9 meters (29.53 feet)
- Wing area: 4.66 square meters (50.16 square feet)
- Landing gear: Fixed wheeled tricycle landing gear
- Safety Features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers and motors on the aircraft so if one or more motors or propellers fail, the other working motors and propellers can safely land the aircraft. The aircraft has an optional parachute for added safety.
Company Insights:
Resources:
- Autoflight website
- Autoflight Twitter
- Autoflight YouTube Channel
- Autoflight LinkedIn
- Press Release: Autoflight Unveiled V400 eVTOL and Announced eVTOL Roadmap, eVTOL News, Sept. 13, 2020
- Article: The world premiere of the intelligent V400 Albatross for long endurance and large load, Autoflight, Sept. 13, 2020
- Article: Shanghai firm unveils unmanned aerial vehicle with a range of up to 1,000 km, CN Tech Post, Sept. 13, 2020
- Article: Autoflight continues to scale up its eVTOL aircraft as it launches the V400, eVTOL, Sept. 13, 2020
- Article: Autoflight Reveal V1500M four-seat eVTOL Prototype at Airshow China 2021 in Zhuhai, eFlight Journal, Sept. 29, 2021
- Article: Lukasz Gadowski invests $100 Million in Autoflight, eFlight Journal, Nov. 22, 2021
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