New images that surfaced in late October appear to show a full-sized demonstrator of China's CE-25A, a 19-seat all-electric commuter aircraft being developed by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). The photographs, first shared by Chinese automotive blogger Han Lu on October 28, show a red and black aircraft carrying COMAC and CE-25A markings and bearing Chinese civil registration B-0EFH.

COMAC first presented the CE-25A concept at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai in November 2023, describing it as a 19-seat all-electric commuter aircraft intended for short- and medium-distance passenger transportation as well as business aviation. Published design specifications called for a cruising speed of approximately 400 kilometers per hour and a range of around 400 to 500 kilometers.

The design's most distinctive feature is its distributed electric propulsion system, which uses 10 electrically driven ducted fans integrated into the wing structure rather than conventional turboprop engines. The outlet reported it could not establish with certainty that the imagery is legitimate, though its analysis found no major indications the photos were artificially generated.

There is no clear public confirmation that this particular aircraft has flown, and its precise role in the development effort remains uncertain.

Source: TWZ