EHang unveils EH216-EK firefighting eVTOL, expanding advanced emergency response operations

EHang has unveiled the EH216-EK, a new pilotless eVTOL aircraft specifically designed for aerial firefighting missions. Engineered to address early-stage forest and grassland fires, as well as emergencies at industrial complexes, logistics hubs and warehousing facilities, the aircraft represents the latest addition to EHang’s growing portfolio of emergency response solutions.

The EH216-EK features a high-payload aerial deployment system capable of releasing firefighting agents through multiple channels, enabling targeted suppression across several fire points during a single mission. The platform is designed to enhance rapid-response capabilities while reducing operational risks in challenging environments.

The aircraft was officially introduced during the “Smart Manufacturing in Wencheng, EHang Takes Flight into the Future” event held at the EHang Wencheng Smart Manufacturing Center. The unveiling was attended by local government representatives and senior EHang executives, including Chief Operating Officer Zhao Wang, China General Manager Xiaona Lee and Fire and Emergency Business Unit General Manager Daoyi Lee.

As part of the event, the EH216-EK conducted a live firefighting demonstration flight, showcasing its ability to respond quickly, maintain stable autonomous flight and execute precise aerial fire suppression operations. The demonstration highlighted the potential of unmanned eVTOL technology to support early intervention strategies and improve the effectiveness of emergency response operations in both urban and remote environments.

With the introduction of the EH216-EK, EHang continues to broaden the practical applications of autonomous eVTOL technology, extending its reach beyond passenger transportation into critical public safety and emergency service missions.

EHang’s Wencheng Smart Manufacturing Center is being positioned as a dedicated hub for the emerging low-altitude aviation industry, bringing together aircraft production, final assembly, testing, delivery and maintenance services under one roof. The facility recently completed assembly of the first batch of EH216-EK firefighting eVTOL aircraft, marking an important milestone as EHang advances product validation, operational testing and commercial application development for the new platform.

Beyond supporting aircraft production, the center is expected to play a key role in fostering the regional low-altitude economy by helping build an ecosystem of infrastructure, services and use cases that could accelerate the adoption of advanced air mobility technologies.

Safety-Focused Design Tailored for Firefighting Missions

The EH216-EK builds upon the proven architecture of EHang’s EH216 series, incorporating the same core safety principles that underpin the company’s autonomous aircraft portfolio. These include pilotless operation, vertical take-off and landing capabilities, multiple backup systems, redundant flight-critical components and centralized fleet management functions.

Leveraging these technologies, the EH216-EK is designed to rapidly reach emergency locations and deliver aerial firefighting support during the crucial early stages of a blaze, when containment efforts are most effective. By providing fast-deploying aerial intervention, the aircraft is intended to complement traditional ground-based firefighting resources, offering emergency responders a flexible and efficient tool for tackling fires in hard-to-reach or high-risk environments.

The EH216-EK has been developed to deliver significant firefighting capacity within a compact autonomous eVTOL platform. The aircraft features a maximum take-off weight of 620 kilograms and can carry up to 160 kilograms of mission payload, enabling it to deploy substantial quantities of fire-suppression agents during emergency operations.

At the heart of its firefighting system is a 12-channel independently controlled payload-release mechanism. The aircraft can be equipped with either twelve 10-kilogram fire-extinguishing canisters or eight larger 20-kilogram canisters, depending on mission requirements. Compatible with a variety of extinguishing agents, including water-based solutions and ultra-fine dry powders, the system allows operators to tailor payload configurations to the specific characteristics of each incident.

Each canister is designed to cover an area approximately six to eight metres in diameter, while the aircraft’s multi-channel release capability enables precise, targeted suppression across multiple hotspots within a single mission. This flexibility is intended to improve firefighting efficiency and enhance the effectiveness of rapid-response operations.

The EH216-EK also incorporates EHang’s redundant multirotor propulsion architecture and advanced flight-control algorithms, allowing it to maintain stable flight in demanding conditions. The aircraft is engineered to withstand strong winds and the intense thermal updrafts commonly encountered near active fires, supporting accurate hovering and precise payload deployment even in challenging operational environments.

Designed for High-Risk and Difficult-to-Reach Fire Emergencies

EHang is positioning the EH216-EK as a versatile solution for a wide range of high-risk firefighting scenarios where speed of response can play a critical role in preventing a small incident from escalating into a major emergency.

The aircraft is designed to support operations involving remote forest fires, mountainous terrain, elevated locations and industrial facilities where traditional firefighting vehicles may face access limitations. It can also be deployed to large logistics centres, storage yards and industrial parks, providing rapid aerial intervention during the crucial early stages of a fire.

To support these missions, the EH216-EK can operate as part of an integrated emergency-response ecosystem alongside EHang’s proprietary command-and-dispatch platform and lightweight fire-monitoring drones. Surveillance drones can identify fire locations, monitor fire progression and transmit real-time operational data to the command platform, which is capable of automatically generating three-dimensional flight routes for the firefighting aircraft.

Once dispatched, the EH216-EK can autonomously navigate to the affected area and accurately release its firefighting payload, helping emergency services contain fires before they spread. By reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous environments during the initial response phase, the system has the potential to enhance firefighter safety while providing valuable time for ground teams to mobilise and execute follow-up suppression efforts.

EHang will continue product validation and application development for EH216-EK, while working with emergency management agencies, forestry authorities and industrial park operators on joint exercises and application initiatives. The addition of EH216-EK will further strengthen EHang's portfolio of specialized firefighting aircraft. By expanding its product portfolio and application scenarios, EHang is building a more diversified range of pilotless aerial vehicles to address a wider range of industry needs and create broader opportunities for business growth.