Hensoldt Avionics to Power ePlane e200X Electric Air Taxi in India

• The e200X electric air taxi developed by The ePlane Company will integrate Hensoldt avionics to support navigation, situational awareness and connectivity needed for operations in urban airspace.
• The avionics architecture includes EuroNav7 for mission navigation, CaviSight for visual landing support, RF1 Smart Antenna for traffic awareness, and CaviConnect for real-time aircraft-to-ground data links.
• The collaboration reflects the growing advanced air mobility ecosystem, where specialised technology providers support aircraft programmes as cities explore future air taxi networks.

The race to Urban Air Mobility (UAM) or Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is gaining momentum as industries seek to revolutionise air transportation. The development of Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, is at the forefront of this transformation. Building the aircraft is only half the battle. Getting these things to safely fly through crowded city skies is a whole different challenge. 

That is where a new partnership between Germany’s defence electronics expert Hensoldt and India’s startup The ePlane Company comes in.  It’s shaping up to show how smart avionics can actually make next-gen electric air taxis work. At the core of this team-up is the e200X, a compact eVTOL air taxi being developed by The ePlane Company out of the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras. They’re plugging Hensoldt’s avionics suite, said to be the ‘digital nervous system’ into the aircraft.  The mission is to navigate safely in a city’s chaotic airspace.

From Prototype to Certified Aircraft

Hensoldt’s avionics is to help shift the e200X from small demo versions to a full-scale, certifiable aircraft. The avionics package is in line with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation requirements. Air taxis need to dodge skyscrapers, helicopters, drones, etc. in the dense urban airspace. That means they need top-notch navigation, situational awareness, and constant connectivity. Hensoldt’s job is to deliver an integrated avionics “ecosystem” that handles these requirements. 

EuroNav7 for mission management

At the centre of this architecture is EuroNav 7 Next Generation, a digital moving-map and navigation system designed for mission management.

The system provides pilots with real-time geographic data and urban mapping, allowing them to interpret dense city environments and plan routes effectively.

For an eVTOL operating between rooftop vertiports or small landing pads, accurate mapping and navigation are critical to ensuring safe operations.

CaviSight for Pilot Awareness

Another key component is CaviSight, a visual landing aid and video switching system, enhancing pilot awareness during take-off and landing by providing additional visual references and camera feeds.

Collision avoidance is another major requirement for eVTOL aircraft.

To address this, the e200X will incorporate Hensoldt’s RF1 Smart Antenna, which provides traffic awareness by detecting nearby aircraft and alerting the pilot to potential collision risks. 

CaviConnect real-time fleet monitoring

Connectivity with ground infrastructure is equally important. Hensoldt’s CaviConnect system will provide a secure data link between the aircraft and ground stations. The link enables real-time fleet monitoring, flight coordination and the exchange of aircraft health data. For operators managing multiple air taxis, such connectivity allows continuous tracking of aircraft status, maintenance needs and operational performance.

All these systems are supported by Hensoldt’s EB1 multipurpose airborne computer, which acts as the central processing platform for the aircraft.

The EB1 computer handles mission applications, integrates data from multiple sensors and supports advanced flight management functions.

It is also designed to be autonomy-ready, meaning it can support future developments such as semi-autonomous or remotely supervised flight operations.

Together, these systems form a comprehensive avionics architecture designed specifically for the demands of advanced air mobility. By incorporating certified avionics technologies and robust mission systems, the e200X programme aims to meet these safety requirements while preparing for commercial operations.

Growing Ecosystem for UAM

The partnership between Hensoldt and The ePlane Company also reflects a broader shift in the emerging AAM ecosystem. Much like the commercial aviation industry, advanced air mobility is developing a global supply chain in which different companies specialise in aircraft design, propulsion, avionics, software and infrastructure.

Hensoldt is positioning itself as a tier-one supplier of avionics and sensor technologies, providing the digital backbone that enables electric aircraft to operate safely. The company’s experience in defence electronics, radar systems and mission computing gives it a strong foundation for developing the situational awareness and connectivity capabilities required by eVTOL aircraft.

India’s large metropolitan areas, combined with severe traffic congestion, make the country a promising market for future air taxi services. If projects like the e200X succeed, electric aircraft could eventually connect airports, business districts and technology parks through short aerial routes. As electric aviation continues to evolve, it is increasingly clear that the success of air taxis will depend not only on new aircraft designs but also on the sophisticated digital systems that guide them safely through the skies above the world’s cities.

Also Read: India’s Vertiport Question: Building the Foundations for Advanced Air Mobility