Photo: AutoFlight
Fighting fires is tricky business, and the people in the business turn to all available means and methods to get the job done. More recently that includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that are nimble enough to reach otherwise hard to get to places.
There are several such solutions on the market already, but one made by a company called AutoFlight is described as a breakthrough in terms of "load capacity, flight duration, coverage, flight efficiency and firefighting effectiveness." And if you ask me, it is also the sexiest of its bunch.
AutoFlight has been in the news for a while now as it is working on no less than two electric vertical take-off and landing machines. One is called Prosperity I and it's meant to carry up to four passengers and a pilot on medium, urban distances.
The second is the cargo variant called CarryAll, and although it can be piloted, in some versions it comes with autonomous capabilities. One such self-flying variant is meant for fighting fires, and it was just shown by AutoFlight this week in the United Arab Emirates as a fully functional prototype.
In its normal configuration the CarryAll can fly for 250 km (155 miles) while carrying in excess of 500 kg (1,100 pounds) of cargo at speeds of up to 250 kph (155 mph). The aircraft uses 13 propellers to take flight and stay airborne (ten for lift and three for push), spun by electric motors which in turn are fed by a 160 kW battery pack.
The firefighting version is slightly less impressive, but for good reason. The eVTOL's specs sheet reads a top speed of 200 kph (124 mph) and a distance just as large. The cargo capacity is a tad lower as well, at 400 kg (882 pounds), bringing the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight to two metric tons.
In this case the cargo comes as four fire-extinguishing canisters that weigh 100 kg (220 pounds) each. Every single one of these canisters has the capacity to put out fires over an area of 200 square meters (2,153 square feet).
AutoFlight says it has already conducted demonstrations with potential customers, and the feedback is "encouraging." But whereas the cargo version of the CarryAll is expected to be certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) next year, we're not told anything about when the firefighting variant will be suitable for use.
Before that happens the company has to first turn the aircraft from prototype to production version, and develop the needed ground station and supporting systems. It is likely development prototypes will enter service with various firefighting organizations as soon as next year.
AutoFlight does not say where those organizations are based or where the tests will be conducted. We also don't get any piece of info on the cost of the special CarryAll eVTOL.
AutoFlight has been in the news for a while now as it is working on no less than two electric vertical take-off and landing machines. One is called Prosperity I and it's meant to carry up to four passengers and a pilot on medium, urban distances.
The second is the cargo variant called CarryAll, and although it can be piloted, in some versions it comes with autonomous capabilities. One such self-flying variant is meant for fighting fires, and it was just shown by AutoFlight this week in the United Arab Emirates as a fully functional prototype.
In its normal configuration the CarryAll can fly for 250 km (155 miles) while carrying in excess of 500 kg (1,100 pounds) of cargo at speeds of up to 250 kph (155 mph). The aircraft uses 13 propellers to take flight and stay airborne (ten for lift and three for push), spun by electric motors which in turn are fed by a 160 kW battery pack.
The firefighting version is slightly less impressive, but for good reason. The eVTOL's specs sheet reads a top speed of 200 kph (124 mph) and a distance just as large. The cargo capacity is a tad lower as well, at 400 kg (882 pounds), bringing the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight to two metric tons.
In this case the cargo comes as four fire-extinguishing canisters that weigh 100 kg (220 pounds) each. Every single one of these canisters has the capacity to put out fires over an area of 200 square meters (2,153 square feet).
AutoFlight says it has already conducted demonstrations with potential customers, and the feedback is "encouraging." But whereas the cargo version of the CarryAll is expected to be certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) next year, we're not told anything about when the firefighting variant will be suitable for use.
Before that happens the company has to first turn the aircraft from prototype to production version, and develop the needed ground station and supporting systems. It is likely development prototypes will enter service with various firefighting organizations as soon as next year.
AutoFlight does not say where those organizations are based or where the tests will be conducted. We also don't get any piece of info on the cost of the special CarryAll eVTOL.
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