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An Analysis of eVTOL Application and Implementation Opportunities Based on the “14th Five-Year Plan for National Firefighting Work”
Release Date:
2024-10-24
Author:
Weihang Technology
Source:
Abstract
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In February 2022, the State Council Work Safety Committee issued the “14th Five-Year National Fire Protection Plan” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”). As a guiding document for the development of fire protection work in the current and subsequent periods, the Plan lays out a comprehensive framework for the reform and development of fire protection during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
The Plan points out that China’s fire safety infrastructure remains generally weak, High-rise and super high-rise buildings Large commercial complexes and similar facilities have proliferated rapidly alongside economic and social development; when a fire breaks out, such structures are highly prone to mass casualties. Yet the challenges of firefighting and emergency rescue in “high‑rise, underground, large‑scale, and chemical‑industrial” settings—namely, high‑rise buildings, underground structures, large commercial complexes, and petrochemical enterprises—remain unresolved.
The Plan underscores that the 14th Five-Year Plan period represents an unprecedented historical opportunity for the reform and development of the fire service, with the innovation-driven development strategy providing crucial support for reform and innovation in this field. In light of the overall weakness of China’s fire safety infrastructure, building on the 7,969 fire stations already established nationwide by the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the number of fire stations should reach at least 0.74 per 100,000 people during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. In particular, efforts will be intensified to advance scientific and technological research in key areas and critical technologies for fire prevention and control, develop cutting-edge equipment, focus on real‑world operations and mission success, and address shortcomings in emergency response and disaster‑relief gear. Promote the research, development, and deployment of next-generation main combat equipment. 。
Weihang Technology Supports Breakthroughs in Firefighting Reform and Innovation
The level of development of the fire protection industry is an important indicator of a nation’s economic and social progress. As evidenced by the objectives and key priorities outlined in the Plan, both the national government and local authorities attach great importance to the sector, while demand for high-end, domestically produced, and intelligent fire‑protection products continues to grow. These trends all point to a new phase of growth for the fire protection industry, which also presents opportunities for… eVTOL The application of cutting-edge aviation technologies, exemplified by [specific example], is creating new opportunities.
In response to the call set forth in the Plan, Weihang Technology has focused on the two key attributes of “effectiveness” and “operational readiness,” integrating its ducted-fan eVTOL platform with firefighting and rescue requirements. With the goal of developing a new generation of primary combat equipment, it has proposed… Tethered Ducted-Fan Aerial Fire Truck This product employs high‑thrust electric ducted‑fan propulsion technology, fully leveraging the advantages of compact size, substantial thrust, enhanced safety, and low noise. It mounts a water cannon on a ducted‑fan‑based aerial platform and integrates it with a small‑sized fire‑truck chassis via tethered hoses and cables, seamlessly combining rapid ground response with airborne maneuverable firefighting capabilities. Compared with conventional aerial ladder trucks, it offers faster response times, superior firefighting performance, greater lift heights, and improved safety and intelligence—making it the most effective real‑world aerial rescue and firefighting system for addressing fires in high‑rise buildings exceeding 50 meters in height.
ducted-fan eVTOL
Market Size Estimation for Firefighting Main Operational Equipment
The tethered ducted-fan aerial firefighting vehicle is positioned as an upgraded, next‑generation alternative to existing aerial ladder trucks; accordingly, its market size is estimated by extrapolating from the current market for such vehicles. Based on the core indicators outlined in the Plan and statistical data from the China Firefighting Yearbooks (2012–2019) regarding fire station construction and the procurement of firefighting vehicles, it is possible to project the market size for main firefighting equipment—specifically, aerial ladder trucks—during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
First, based on the core indicator specified in the Plan—no fewer than 0.74 fire stations per 100,000 people—we can estimate that, by the end of 2025 and assuming a population of 1.4 billion, the total number of fire stations nationwide will need to reach 10,360. At the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period, this figure stood at 7,969; thus, during the 14th Five-Year Plan, an additional 2,391 fire stations will need to be built, corresponding to an annual compound growth rate of approximately 5.4%. Combining this with the average share of the five major categories of fire stations reported in the China Firefighting Yearbook for 2012–2019, we can calculate the total number of fire stations required for 2021–2025, as well as the respective numbers for each of the five categories.
# Number of fire stations to be established and the breakdown by type for the period 2021–2025
Secondly, according to the latest “Urban Fire Station Construction Standards” (152–2017), the number and standards for fire vehicles assigned to each fire station can be determined. Consequently, by considering both the total number of fire stations and the prescribed number of fire vehicles for each type of station, the required number of operational fire vehicles can be calculated. A vehicle allocation ratio is defined as the ratio of the actual number of vehicles to the maximum number of vehicles that should be allocated, expressed as a percentage. According to the vehicle and fire station statistics from the China Firefighting Yearbook for 2012–2019. ， The average vehicle allocation rate was found to be 98.4%. According to the “Urban Fire Station Construction Standards,” a vehicle allocation ratio (minimum divided by maximum) of 68% is sufficient to meet the requirements; in practice, however, this figure has increased by 30%. This demonstrates the state’s high priority on the fire‑fighting system, as well as its profound commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of the people. , the government is unlikely to skimp on fiscal spending in this area. Consequently, it is possible to project the annual national target for the number of fire trucks during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.
# Number of vehicles assigned to the fire station
# Actual and projected for 2021–2025 Number of fire trucks
Finally, based on the statistical data from the China Firefighting Yearbook for 2012–2019, the average share of aerial‑platform fire trucks is approximately 15.4%; accordingly, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the annual addition of such vehicles is expected to average around 450 units. Furthermore, in accordance with the requirement that fire trucks be replaced every 10 years, and taking into account the number of fire trucks procured during the 2011–2015 period, it can be projected that China’s market demand for aerial ladder fire trucks will be approximately 900 units per year, both currently and over the foreseeable future. If we further consider the international market, statistics show that China accounted for 30.27% of global fire truck consumption in 2018, implying that the worldwide market for high‑reach fire trucks is approaching 3,000 units per year.
Overall, the fire truck market is not a trillion‑dollar industry, but we still believe that it remains, at present and… In the period ahead A viable real-world application that can validate eVTOL technology—particularly the technologies required for UAM scenarios—is one with strong, well‑justified demand and a moderate scale, sufficient to establish a robust supply chain; it may even be the only such application.
Another key reason it is referred to as a “real-world application” is that, as an unmanned special‑purpose aircraft, it is not required to undergo airworthiness certification under the Civil Aviation Law of the People’s Republic of China or according to existing industry practice; it can be marketed simply by obtaining certification from the Fire‑Equipment Quality Supervision and Inspection Center. According to available research, the relevant certification requirements are well established and can be completed in as little as one year. This represents a significant advantage for eVTOL start-ups seeking to survive in today’s market environment, while also sowing the seeds of genuine, reliable public acceptance of eVTOLs as urban air‑mobility solutions.
Weihang Technology possesses internationally leading eVTOL distributed… Electricity
A company specializing in ducted fan propulsion technology. The company is driven by technological innovation…
To make living safer and traveling more efficient for new residents, we are committed to development.
Ming is committed to developing flying cars for efficient urban air mobility.
Providing technical support for propulsion systems, with priority given to the emergency management sector.
Addressing critical pain points in the sector, we provide solutions to ensure safe living for everyone.
Scene and functional demonstration of a tethered ducted-fan aerial firefighting vehicle
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