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AutoFlight Launches World’s First 5-Ton eVTOL Aircraft
Matrix completes public full-transition flight, redefining heavy-lift electric aviation for passengers and cargo.
www.autoflight.com
AutoFlight has unveiled Matrix, the world’s first 5-ton-class electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, following a successful public demonstration of a full transition flight at its low-altitude flight test center in Kunshan, China.
During the demonstration, Matrix executed the complete flight envelope—vertical take-off, wing-borne cruise, and vertical landing—validating the company’s lift-and-cruise architecture at an unprecedented weight class. The flight marks the first time a 5-ton eVTOL has achieved a full transition, underscoring advances in aerodynamics, high-power electric propulsion, and flight-control systems.
Designed for passengers and cargo
Matrix features a 20-meter wingspan and a maximum take-off weight of 5,700 kg. The spacious cabin offers 13.9 m³ of interior volume and will be available in two configurations:
- Passenger variant: up to 10 business-class seats or six VIP seats, with climate control, lavatory, ambient lighting, and large panoramic windows.
- Cargo variant: hybrid-powered, carrying up to 1,500 kg, with a forward-opening door sized for two AKE containers—targeting efficient, ton-scale logistics.
Safety, range, and performance
The aircraft employs a compound wing lift-and-cruise design with a triplane layout and distributed propulsion—up to 20 fifth-generation lift motors—providing redundancy for continued flight in the event of single or dual motor failures. A pure-electric version targets 250 km range, while a hybrid-electric option extends reach to 1,500 km, opening use cases from urban shuttles to intercity feeder routes and emergency response.
A shift in eVTOL economics
According to AutoFlight, Matrix challenges the notion that eVTOLs are limited to short-haul, light-payload missions. By scaling capacity, the platform aims to lower cost per seat-kilometer and ton-kilometer, supporting commercial viability across passenger transport and heavy logistics.
Matrix builds on AutoFlight’s broader portfolio—including CarryAll for autonomous logistics and Prosperity for urban air mobility—reflecting the company’s push to expand low-altitude aviation with certified, mission-ready platforms.
www.autoflight.com
The aircraft employs a compound wing lift-and-cruise design with a triplane layout and distributed propulsion—up to 20 fifth-generation lift motors—providing redundancy for continued flight in the event of single or dual motor failures. A pure-electric version targets 250 km range, while a hybrid-electric option extends reach to 1,500 km, opening use cases from urban shuttles to intercity feeder routes and emergency response.
A shift in eVTOL economics
According to AutoFlight, Matrix challenges the notion that eVTOLs are limited to short-haul, light-payload missions. By scaling capacity, the platform aims to lower cost per seat-kilometer and ton-kilometer, supporting commercial viability across passenger transport and heavy logistics.
Matrix builds on AutoFlight’s broader portfolio—including CarryAll for autonomous logistics and Prosperity for urban air mobility—reflecting the company’s push to expand low-altitude aviation with certified, mission-ready platforms.
www.autoflight.com
