China Automotive Innovation Corporation (CAIC) Jiangtun 1 (subscale prototype)

(Photo credit: China Automotive Innovation Corporation)

Jiangtun 1 (subscale prototype)
China Automotive Innovation Corporation (CAIC)
China
(website unknown)

The information provided here is as accurate as possible; however, eVTOL information from China is sometimes sparse, incomplete or conflicting. China is promoting what they call the "low-altitude economy" — a new push for general aviation — which includes both crewed and uncrewed passenger and air cargo eVTOL aircraft.

With a joint investment of 16 billion RMB, China Automotive Innovation Co., Ltd. (CAIC) was established by China South Industries Group Co., Ltd, China FAW Group Co., Ltd, Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd, Changan Automobile Co., Ltd, and the Nanjing Jiangning Economic Development Zone Technology Co. Ltd. CAIC. The company is committed to the development of forward-looking, general and integrated core technology, key components and industry incubation. With the vision of "developing green and low-carbon, intelligent and safe, and automotive technology that provides the ultimate experience; empowering a pleasant travel and a better life". 

Jiangtun 1 uncrewed eVTOL subscale prototype
The Jiangtun 1 is an uncrewed eVTOL subscale prototype. The subscale aircraft is assumed to be remotely piloted. The prototype does not have any capacity to hold any passengers but possibly hold simulated cargo packages.

The cruise speed of the subscale prototype is 120 km/h (75 mph), has a cruise altitude of 100 m (328 ft) and has a maximum payload weight of 170 kg (375 lb). The aircraft has eight propellers, eight electric motors and is powered by battery packs. From the picture, it looks as if there are four VTOL-only propellers and four tilt-propellers. The aircraft has one main high wing and one V-tail. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio. The aircraft has fixed tricycle landing struts.

The full-scale production aircraft is planned to have a cruising speed of more than  200 km/h (124 mph), has an estimated range of 300 km (186 miles) and will hold six passengers and their luggage. It is unknown if the production aircraft will be flown autonomously, with a pilot or have the capability for both types of piloting.

The production model has been designed to have lidar, millimeter-wave radar and visual sensors for an intelligent environmental perception system capable of real-time 3D environmental modeling, allowing for centimeter-level obstacle positioning and dynamic tracking. The artificial intelligent powered flight-control subsystem will optimize flight posture in real time across varying weather conditions. The full-scale prototype is expected to be revealed in 2026.

It is important to remember that all concept design aircraft specifications are estimated and can or will change as prototypes and production models are made, tested and flown with real world avionics, components and payloads.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Uncrewed eVTOL subscale prototype
• Piloting: Remote piloting, possibly AI flight control systems
• Capacity: No passenger or cargo hold
• Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
• Cruise altitude: 100 m (328 ft)
• Maximum payload weight (estimated): 170 kg (375 lb)
• Propellers: 8 propellers (4 VTOL-only propellers, 4 tilt-propellers)
• Electric motors: 8 electric motors
• Power source: Battery packs
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Wings: 1 high main wing
• Tail: V tail
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle landing struts
• 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. 

Company Insights:

• Fisita

Resources:

• China Automotive Innovation Corporation (website unknown)
• Article: CAIC joins hands with Lanyou Technology to boost automotive digitalization, Gasgoo, Sept. 23, 2024
• Article: April Low-Altitude Activities in Review, China eVTOL News, May 5, 2025
• Article: Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory, Part 2, Vertiflite, July/August 2025