https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2026/0508/c95952-20453991.html

World’s First Large Hybrid Passenger eVTOL Successfully Completes Maiden Flight

People’s Daily Online (Japanese Edition), May 8, 2026, 14:02

The DF3000 “Youlong,” a 3-ton class full-scale prototype of a large hybrid tiltrotor passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), achieved its maiden flight in hybrid mode. The DF3000 has a takeoff weight of 3 tons and employs a hybrid power configuration of “distributed electric propulsion + series range extender power generation.” By fully integrating core technologies such as flight and propulsion integrated control and energy management algorithms, this aircraft overcomes the bottlenecks of conventional tiltrotor aircraft, including their complex controls and short range and low payload capacity of pure electric eVTOLs. While maintaining the flexibility of vertical takeoff and landing, it significantly improves range and payload capacity.