XPeng Aeroht, a subsidiary of China’s XPeng Motors, has entered the “manned test flight” phase for its Land Aircraft Carrier, a road vehicle with detachable flying capabilities. Founder Zhao Deli, an experienced pilot, is personally conducting tests to refine the vehicle’s performance.
The Land Aircraft Carrier is scheduled for its first public demonstration at the China International Airshow on Nov. 12, showcasing the automated detachment and reattachment processes.
The Land Aircraft Carrier features a six-wheel, three-axle ground vehicle, or “mothership,” that carries an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air module stored in the rear trunk, with a semi-transparent glass design allowing a view of the flying component.
The air module detaches from the mothership for low-altitude flights, powered by six propellers, and offers both manual and automatic flight options. Once reattached, the mothership recharges the air module’s battery.
XPeng Aeroht’s plans include pre-sales for the Land Aircraft Carrier starting in December and the development of an eVTOL codenamed X5, designed for long-range, high-speed intercity travel.
The X5’s innovative tilt-rotor design allows for vertical takeoff and landing like a helicopter and fixed-wing cruising speeds. The vehicle’s six rotors tilt between vertical and horizontal positions, which the company sees as a breakthrough for eVTOL technology.
A manufacturing plant in Guangzhou is under construction, with an annual production goal of 10,000 flying vehicles. It will support assembly, painting, and composite production for the Land Aircraft Carrier.
XPeng Aeroht, which has raised $150 million in a recent funding round, intends to deploy 200 air modules for rigorous testing, including component reliability and safety protocols. The Land Aircraft Carrier’s versatility makes it suitable for public service applications, such as emergency medical transport, high-rise evacuations, and traffic incident responses.
