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Aviation Industry Corporation of China AG-EX (technology demonstrator)

AG-EX eVTOL half-scale eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft

(Photo credit: Aviation Industry Corporation of China, AVIC)

AG-EX (technology demonstrator)
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
Beijing, China
www.avic.com

Founded in 1951, is a Chinese state-owned publicly-traded aerospace and defense conglomerate. AVIC has been through 12 systemic reforms from 1951 to 2024. The company manufactures airliners, fighter aircraft, bombers, transport aircraft, trainers, helicopters, uncrewed aerial vehicles and more. The company recently has entered the market of passenger and air cargo electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility.

AG-EX eVTOL half-scale eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft
The AG-EX eVTOL is a remotely piloted eVTOL half-scale technology demonstrator. The AG-EX demonstrator program was started in 2020. The aircraft was unveiled at the 13th China Airshow in Zhuhai, China in 2021 by AVIC Tongfei North China Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd., one of AVIC’s subsidiaries. The inaugural flight of the aircraft took place in December 2022. In February 2024, AVIC Tongfei North China Aircraft Industry announced its technology demonstrator successfully completed full tiltpropeller transition flight tests. The company successfully flight tested a one-sixth-scale technology demonstrator aircraft.

Little is known about the flight specifications for the technology demonstrator. The aircraft has eight tiltprops, eight VTOL-only propellers and battery packs to power the aircraft. The tilt-props are near the leading edge of the main wing and the VTOL-only propellers are near the trailing edge of the main wing. The fuselage is most likely made from carbon fiber composite material providing a high strength to low weight ratio. The aircraft has simulated large panoramic wrap around windows. The aircraft looks similar to a general aviation aircraft with one high main wing, one large V-tail and has fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear.

Full size production model planned specifications
The full sized production model is expected to hold one pilot, four passengers and their luggage. The cruise speed is expected to be 240 km/h (149 mph), with an anticipated flight time of 60 minutes and has an approximate flight range of 200 km (124 miles). While the empty weight of the production model has not be revealed by the company, the predicted maximum payload weight is 450 kg (992 lb). The aircraft has been reported to be configured for both passenger and air cargo service.

AG-EX eVTOL half-scale eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft drawing (Image credit: Aviation Industry Corporation of China)

AG-EX eVTOL half-scale eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft drawing (Image credit: Aviation Industry Corporation of China)

Specifications:

  • Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL half-scale technology demonstrator aircraft.
  • Piloting: Remote piloting
  • Cruise speed: Unknown
  • Propellers: 8 propellers (4 tilt-props and 4 VTOL-only propellers)
  • Electric motors: 8 electric motors
  • Power source: Battery packs
  • Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
  • Windows: Simulated large panoramic wrap around windows
  • Wings: 1 main high wing.
  • Tail: 1 V tail
  • Landing gear: Fixed wheeled landing gear
  • Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) uses multiple propellers or electric ducted fans, each powered by electric motors, to increase safety through redundancy. If one or more components fail, the remaining ones can still ensure a safe landing. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure.

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