Shenyang Aviation Enters Agreement to Develop the Manta ANN Plus

Manta Aircraft has entered a partnership with Shenyang Aviation Industries Group to develop and certify its hybrid-electric vertical/short takeoff and landing (HeV/STOL) aircraft in China.  The six-seater aircraft, dubbed the ANN Plus, aims to enhance versatility, efficiency, and sustainability in regional air transportation.

The ANN Plus utilizes a hybrid propulsion system with four ducted fans to hover and four others for cruise. It can sustain flight in VTOL mode for 300 km at a time and 1000 km in STOL configuration through the use of in-flight battery recharging. The average cruise speed is around 250-300 km/h (162 kts).

The V/STOL capabilities allow the ANN Plus to operate from remote, unprepared surfaces, making it useful in locations lacking frequent airports or helipads.

Collaborating with a China-based organization was a strategic play for Manta Aircraft. Lucas Marchesini, CEO of Manta, explained that “the certification process by the Civil Aviation Administration is faster than in Europe. This means we can start putting aircraft in the air sooner.”

Marchesini continued to note that China’s size requires both “regional and interregional transportation systems, so there is interest in having aircraft which can cover from 150 to 1,000 km.’ The nation also has a significant quantity of local distributors, meaning “supply chains are more compact with less waiting time and lower costs.”

Manta Aircraft and Shenyang Aviation announced their formal agreement during a rollout event on October 26. They shared plans for joint research and development efforts to eventually construct two full-scale prototypes, which will be certified under the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

A full-scale mock-up of the ANN Plus will be unveiled at Zhuhai’s China Airshow, occurring from November 12 to 17, 2024. Manta and Shenyand will also be hosting presentations to further explain the HeV/STOL aircraft’s design and capabilities.

FMI: www.mantaaircraft.com