By One of the earliest eVTOL developers, Autoflight, has revealed Matrix, the world’s first 5-ton class electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Matrix successfully completed a public full transition flight demonstration this week at the company’s low-altitude flight test facility centre in Kunshan,Jiangsu Province.
During the demonstration (flying alongside AutoFlight’s 2-ton CarryAll cargo eVTOL), Matrix completed a full sequence transition flight; taking off vertically, transitioning into cruise flight, and returning to a vertical landing.
Matrix has a 20-metre wingspan, 20 lift rotors, and 8 propellers in a distinctive triplane layout and six-arm structure that ensures aerodynamic stability throughout all flight phases.
The aircraft will be available in both passenger and cargo variants.
The passenger version offers flexible seating configurations, accommodating either 10 business-class seats or six VIP seats. Standard amenities include premium seating, washbasins, lavatories, climate control, ambient lighting, and oversized 1m² windows.
The cargo variant uses a hybrid power system, supporting a maximum payload of 1,500kg, and features a large forward-opening door capable of accommodating two AKE standard air cargo containers.
The pure electric version offers a maximum range of 250km, while the hybrid-electric variant extends range to 1,500km, and AutoFlight‘s CEO & Founder, Tian Yu says the Matrix, through economies of scale, will significantly reduce transportation costs per seat-kilometre and ton-kilometre. That makes it attractive for diverse applications including regional travel, heavy logistics operations, and large-scale emergency response missions.
(Video B-roll supplied by Autoflight)
