Range Aviation (Lanyi Aviation): LEU100 (production model)

(Image credit: Range Aviation )

LEU100 (production model)
Range Aviation (Lanyi Aviation)
Shanghai, China
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.

Founded in 2023, Range Aviation (Lanyi Aviation) is in the business of designing and manufacturing passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM). The company unveiled its LE200 passenger eVTOL prototype at the 2024 China International Import Expo that took place November 5-10 in Shanghai, China. During the 2024 expo, the company announced they secured 60 letters of intent for the aircraft with Xingyun General Aviation. The company has also announced they have secured purchase agreements for both the LE200 and LEU100 (an air cargo eVTOL aircraft) with Donghong General Aviation (Hubei) Co., Ltd. and the Shanghai Aoyi General Aviation Co., Ltd.

LEU100 uncrewed heavy-lift air cargo eVTOL drone
The LEU100 is an uncrewed heavy-lift air cargo eVTOL drone. The drone is either piloted remotely or in the future, piloted using artificial intelligence (AI), once AI piloting has safely matured and approved by government aviation agencies.

The cruise speed of the aircraft is 120 km/h (75 mph) and has a range of 200 km (125 miles). The drone has two pusher propellers for forward flight, has eight VTOL-only propellers and is powered by batteries. The aircraft has one high main wing with two booms where the VTOL-only propellers are located. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio. The aircraft has one conventional tail and has four fixed struts for its landing gear.

The prototype was completed and successfully tested in 2023 with the detailed design finalized in July 2024. The TC application was submitted to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) of the East China Regional Administration, with certification expected in 2025 and deliveries slated to begin in 2026.

The company foresees the aircraft to be used for air missions such as logistics, medical rescue, emergency relief, communication relay, patrol line inspection and forest fire protection.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Uncrewed heavy-lift air cargo eVTOL drone
• Piloting: Remote, autopilot or AI piloted
• Capacity: Air cargo
• Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
• Range: 200 km (125 miles)
• Empty weight: 85 kg (188 lb)
• Maximum payload weight: 55 kg (120 lb)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 140 kg (308 lb) 
• Propellers: 2 pusher propellers for forward flight, 8 VTOL-only propellers
• Electric motors: 10 electric motors
• Power source: Batteries
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Wings: 1 main high wing
• Tail: 1 conventional tail
• Landing gear: 4 fixed strut 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. 

Related Aircraft:

• Range Aviation (Lanyi Aviation) LE200 (prototype)

Company Insight:

• PitchBook

Resources:

• Range Aviation (Lanyi Aviation) (website unknown)
• Article: Lanyi Aviation Snags First Overseas Order, China eVTOL News, Apr. 25, 2025
• Article: Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory, Part 1, Vertiflite, May/June 2025
• Article: Chinese eVTOL Aircraft Directory, Part 2, Vertiflite, July/August 2025