China’s first domestically developed 800kg-class heavy-lift electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) AR-E800 successfully completed its maiden flight in Jingdezhen city, East China’s Jiangxi Province, on December 10, 2025. Photo: Screenshot from WeChat account of the Science and Technology Daily

China’s first domestically developed 800-kilogram-class heavy-lift electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the AR-E800 successfully completed its maiden flight in Jingdezhen city, East China’s Jiangxi Province, on Wednesday, marking the debut of a new intelligent heavy-load transport platform in the country’s low-altitude logistics sector, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Thursday. 

Developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, the AR-E800 heavy-lift eVTOL UAV features a quick-release multifunctional cargo bay, enabling it to flexibly switch between internal cargo and external sling transport modes. With a maximum mission payload of 300 kilograms, it can deliver equipment to high-altitude stations, perform engineering operations in complex terrain, and support missions such as tourist-site supply transport and emergency material delivery, the Science and Technology Daily reported. 

On Wednesday afternoon, the AR-E800 heavy-lift UAV completed a roughly four-minute flawless maiden flight, performing takeoff, hover, turns, and forward and backward maneuvers before safely landing at the designated airport area. Despite a total weight of up to 800 kilograms including payload, the aircraft demonstrated notable agility. 

The AR-E800 is AVIC’s first commercially oriented eVTOL. From the outset of the project, the joint design team conducted in-depth market research, focusing on general aviation scenarios such as mountainous power grid tower construction, infrastructure hoisting work, and fresh produce transport. Based on these requirements, the UAV was built with a multi-rotor configuration and a modular design. 

The commercial potential of the AR-E800 has already been validated. At the 7th China Helicopter Exposition held in Tianjin in October, the UAV secured 160 confirmed and intention orders thanks to its precise market positioning and reliable industrial design, making it one of the exposition’s “signing stars.” These orders span general aviation operations, power systems, and infrastructure engineering, underscoring its wide application prospects, the Science and Technology Daily reproted. 

Global Times