Blue Space Aircraft Company Yunfan-2 (prototype)

(Photo credit: Blue Space Aircraft Company)

Yunfan-2 (prototype)
Blue Space Aircraft Co., Ltd.
Shandong, 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.

Blue Space Aircraft Company is in the business of designing and manufacturing air cargo and passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM). The company is based in the province of Shandong, China. On December 26, 2024, the company announced that it had designed, manufactured and flight tested the Yunfan-2 full-scale passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft.

Yunfan-2 autonomous air cargo or passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft
The Yunfan-2 is an autonomous air cargo or passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft. The company plans to focus on developing the air cargo version of the aircraft first and once successful, design an aircraft specifically for passenger air transportation.

The company has announced the maximum flight speed for the aircraft is 450 km/h (280 mph) with a range of range of 300 km (186 m). The aircraft has 12 tilt-propellers and has 12 electric motors. The propellers are located booms on the tandem wings of the aircraft. The exact power source of the aircraft is unknown as of March 2025. The aircraft will either be powered by battery packs or have a hybrid-electric power source. The hybrid-electric power source that might be used could be hydrogen fuel cells and battery packs.

The company has stated the empty weight of the aircraft is 1,500 kg (3,307 lb), has a maximum payload weight of 500 kg (1,102 lb) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,000 kg (4,409 lb). The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio. The aircraft has fixed skid landing gear.

The company has revealed for air cargo transportation, the aircraft can carry standard pallets, carry surveying cameras and related equipment, radar, weapons, and many other types of equipment or cargo. The payload compartment has a volume of 5.6 cubic meters.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Air cargo and passenger eVTOL prototype aircraft
• Piloting: Autonomous
• Capacity: 5.6 cubic meters for air cargo. Possibly 4-5 passengers and their luggage.
• Maximum flight speed: 450 km/h (280 mph)
• Range: 300 km (186 m)
• Empty weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
• Maximum payload weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 2,000 kg (4,409 lb)
• Propellers: 12 tilt-propellers
• Electric motors: 12 electric motors
• Power source: Battery packs or hybrid-electric
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows (air cargo model). No windows
• Windows (passenger model): Panoramic wrap around windows allowing forward, left and right visibility for spectacular views for the passengers
• Wings: Tandem wings. 1 front low wing, 1 high main wing with winglets.
• Landing gear: Fixed skid 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.

Resources:

• Article: A review of 100 Chinese low-altitude economy companies and 35 domestic eVTOL companies!, ChatPlas, Feb. 20, 2025