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Shenyang, China – July 5, 2025 – At 8:30 AM local time today, China achieved a major milestone in green aviation with the successful maiden flight of the RX4M, the nation's first indigenously developed four-seat hybrid-electric aircraft. Developed by the team led by Academician Yang Fengtian at the Liaoning General Aviation Academy (LGAA) of Shenyang Aerospace University (SAU), the flight took place at Shenyang Faku Caihu Airport. This breakthrough contributes a significant "Chinese solution" to the global development of electric aircraft.
The RX4M employs a pioneering hybrid-electric propulsion system combining lithium batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell. This innovative architecture overcomes the limitations of traditional lithium batteries concerning energy density and power density, significantly enhancing the aircraft's endurance and range. Key specifications include:
- Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 1,400 kg
- Payload: 320 kg
- Range: 400 km
- Endurance: 2 hours
The aircraft's core technologies are entirely independently developed and controlled within China, with all critical components sourced domestically.
This achievement culminates four years of intensive collaborative R&D led by SAU's LGAA. Key partners included the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), CRRC Zhuzhou Institute Co., Ltd., and Chongqing Kaery Power Technology Co., Ltd. The project successfully tackled over 30 critical "bottleneck" technological challenges.
The successful maiden flight of the RX4M fills a critical technological gap in China's portfolio of four-seat hybrid-electric aircraft and broadens the spectrum of domestic electric aviation development. The RX4M platform holds promising potential for widespread application in sectors such as short-distance commuter transport, aerial tourism, and flight training, contributing significantly to the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy.
