Another day, another wild electric aircraft concept that reimagines the future of air travel in a fascinating and immersive way. This time, instead of a straight eVTOL playing the role of protagonist, it’s a hybrid with tilting ducted electric fans to offer the versatility of a helicopter with the range and efficiency of an airplane. Technically recognized as a hybrid electric vertical short takeoff and landing (HeV/STOL) vessel, the newly modeled ANN Plus uses a turbine electric powertrain to bridge the gap between traditional air and ground transport options. more economically.
We’ve come to expect crazy new electric aircraft by default to come from China, but Manta Aircraft is actually an Italian company based in northern Lombardy. However, that does not mean that the company is unrelated to China, and recently announced that it has been working with Shenyang Aviation Industry Group, with the aim of accelerating the development of the Multicraft ANN platform as a regional air mobility solution for the Chinese and South Asian markets. We partnered with.
It is therefore surprising that Manta debuted the latest member of the ANN series at the 2024 China Air Show last month, announcing the full-fledged model of the ANN Plus, the largest variant to date, following the compact ANN1 and ANN2. That’s not the point. The new ANN Plus, also known as ANN-6, is a multi-purpose six-seater aircraft intended for personal transportation, business travel, medical response and cargo transport. It is designed to carry one pilot and five passengers.
Manta Aircraft
While potentially pushing the limits of abbreviation convention and usefulness, Manta’s HeV/STOL configuration aims to best combine the benefits of several different categories of cutting-edge aircraft. As an eVTOL, it uses a combination of four wing-mounted tilt duct fans and four fixed duct fans integrated in the fuselage to take off from anywhere without the need for a runway. During flight, the wing fans tilt into a forward propulsion position, providing full thrust vectoring.
Manta’s hybrid propulsion system relies on a battery pack for primary power and operates as pure electricity for short distances, delivering a zero-emissions range of 186 miles (300 km) with ANN Plus. This feature allows it to operate quietly and without emitting exhaust fumes, even in dense urban centers, sensitive natural areas, and other environments. So, for example, if you need to quickly get to an appointment across the city, it behaves like a traditional eVTOL, moving traffic cleanly and quietly. Manta said it would be cheaper to own and operate than a helicopter.
Manta Aircraft
For medium- and long-distance intercity and regional travel, the ANN will continue to operate via electric ducted fans, but will utilize multi-fuel turbine generators to charge the battery. Manta estimates a total flight range of up to 620 miles (1,000 km) for the ANN Plus, and offers other range options for small vessels and various use cases. ANN Plus has an estimated cruise speed of 130 knots (240 km/h or 150 mph) and a dash speed of 178 knots (330 km/h or 205 mph).
Its additional speed and range extend the utility of ANN Plus beyond that of an all-electric aircraft, and its short takeoff/landing capabilities help further increase its operational versatility. It is capable of both short takeoff and vertical landing and short takeoff and short landing, and has a total durability of 4 hours in STOL mode, four times as long as VTOL mode.
Manta Aircraft
For the turbine generator operation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and biofuels such as Biojet A1 are currently planned, but Manta is developing the ANN platform with an eye to future updates. So when battery technology improves enough to deliver 620 miles of range on its own, or when the hydrogen economy matures enough to use hydrogen engines and range-extending fuel cell stacks, Manta will be able to switch between those solutions.
Manta delves into the potential use cases of ANN, explaining that its operational flexibility allows it to be used for travel between cities without airports. Serves as a cheaper alternative to helicopters for emergency services. Providing offshore logistics support. Provides fast and efficient access to difficult-to-reach remote locations. It is designed to provide a smooth transition between VTOL and STOL operations, successfully bridging the gap between helicopters and long-range aircraft during the same mission.
The ANN Plus full-scale mockup is just over 40 feet (12.2 m) long, approximately 10.5 feet (3.2 m) longer than the two-seat ANN 2, and has a wingspan nearly twice as large at 39.7 feet (12.1 m); Comparable. . The carbon fiber fuselage accommodates a wider side-by-side seating arrangement, and the aircraft is just over 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall.
Manta Aircraft
Otherwise, the design of the Plus is very similar to the ANN 2, with forward differential canards, a pair of ducted fans recessed into the fuselage in front of the cockpit and a second one aft. It has a ducted fan and a split-V tail.
Visitors to the China Air Show didn’t just stare at ANN Plus while clinging to a velvet rope. I was able to actually go inside and experience the luxurious cabin. The interior has two seats in the front and four seats in the back. Luxurious materials such as Nappa leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber adorn the surfaces and furniture. Pilots rely on a redundant fly-by-wire system with Hands-On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) and widescreen HMI.
Manta Aircraft
Manta has previously conducted extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and wind tunnel testing on the ANN design, and has collaborated with Shenyang Aviation Industry on the production technology and Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certification of two full-scale prototypes. We plan to cooperate. ), prior to launch and industrialization.
Source: Manta Aircraft
