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  • Category: Tech

The CE-25A is China's first domestically developed 10-metric-ton-class electric commercial aircraft, designed for short-haul intercity travel. Developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) , it completed its first piloted intelligent flight on November 14, 2026, in Binzhou, Shandong Province, marking a significant milestone in China's push toward green aviation.

✈️ Key Specifications

The aircraft is engineered to meet the demands of regional commercial operations with a fully electric propulsion system:

  • Passenger Capacity: Designed to carry 19 passengers.
  • Maximum Takeoff Weight: 10 metric tons.
  • Cruising Speed: 300 km/h.
  • Cruising Altitude: 2,400 meters.
  • Range: 400 kilometers, suitable for intercity hops.
  • Propulsion: Powered by a distributed electric ducted-fan system mounted on the wings.

🔤 The Meaning Behind "CE-25A"

The model's designation is deliberately chosen to reflect its identity and safety standards:

  • "C": Stands for China and COMAC.
  • "E": Represents Electric.
  • "25": Indicates compliance with CCAR-25, China's airworthiness regulations for transport category aircraft, aligning its safety requirements with those of large commercial jets.
  • "A": Denotes the first product in this series.

📅 Milestones in Development

The CE-25A program has progressed through a series of carefully staged tests:

  • February 2, 2026: Completed its first unmanned autonomous flight.
  • Prior to Piloted Flight: Accumulated 19 unmanned autonomous flight validations.
  • November 14, 2026: Achieved its first piloted intelligent flight. The test flight lasted 57 minutes and 46 seconds, including 16 minutes and 38 seconds of actual airborne time, covering 60.4 kilometers. The aircraft carried two pilots and one flight-test engineer, with all systems performing normally.
  • Regulatory Status: The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has accepted COMAC's application for the CE-25A's type certificate.

🤝 Collaborative Development

The CE-25A is the product of a joint effort led by COMAC in collaboration with key domestic partners, including battery giant CATL (Ningde Times) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This collaboration leverages China's strengths in new energy technology and academic research to advance electric aviation.

💡 Strategic Significance

The CE-25A represents more than just a new aircraft model. It is a strategic exploration by China's aviation industry to embrace the global trend of green and low-carbon transformation in commercial aviation. By advancing electric and intelligent flight technologies simultaneously, the program aims to validate the feasibility of electric commercial aircraft for short-haul routes, potentially opening the door to a new era of sustainable urban air mobility.

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