Comparison · checked 21.10.2026
VTOL mapping drones compared: JOUAV CW-15, JOUAV CW-30E, WingtraRAY and when a multirotor is enough
Short answer. For mapping quarries, mines, corridors or any site of several hundred hectares, a fixed-wing VTOL covers far more ground per flight than a multirotor. On manufacturer figures, the battery-powered JOUAV CW-15 flies up to 180 minutes without payload, the hybrid JOUAV CW-30E up to 480 minutes with an 8 kg payload capacity, and the Swiss WingtraRAY up to 59 minutes while mapping 550 ha per flight. A multirotor such as the DJI Matrice 4E (49 minutes) remains the simpler choice for sites of a few dozen hectares. All figures below come from the manufacturers' own spec pages, checked on 21 October 2026.
The comparison table
| JOUAV CW-15 | JOUAV CW-30E | WingtraRAY | DJI Matrice 4E (multirotor reference) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Electric fixed-wing VTOL | Hybrid (gasoline or heavy fuel + battery) fixed-wing VTOL | Electric tail-sitter VTOL | Electric multirotor |
| Max endurance | 180 min empty; 120 min with MG-120E gimbal | 480 min | Up to 59 min (RGB, multispectral); 45 min (LiDAR) | 49 min (standard propellers, no payload) |
| Max takeoff weight | not stated on spec page | 38 kg | not stated on spec page | 1,420 g |
| Max payload | 3 kg | 8 kg | not stated on spec page | integrated camera |
| Wingspan | 3.54 m | 4.4 m | not stated | — |
| Cruise speed | 61 km/h | 90 km/h | not stated | — |
| Wind resistance | 10.8–13.8 m/s | 13.9–17.1 m/s | 12 m/s sustained | 12 m/s (take-off and landing) |
| Service ceiling / max takeoff altitude | 6,500 m / 4,500 m | 6,000 m / 3,500 m | not stated | — |
| Link range | not stated | up to 200 km control link | 10 km line of sight (telemetry radio) | — |
| Coverage per flight (stated) | not stated | not stated | 550 ha at 120 m, 2.7 cm/px GSD (MAP61); 460 ha with LiDAR | not stated |
| Positioning accuracy (stated) | V 3 cm; H 1 cm + 1 ppm | V 3 cm; H 1 cm + 1 ppm | 3 cm absolute RMS (x, y, z) with PPK | RTK fix: 1 cm + 1 ppm (H), 1.5 cm + 1 ppm (V) |
| Payload options (stated) | PhaseOne iXM, CA-103 aerial camera, MG-120E EO/IR gimbal; LiDAR, oblique, SAR | LiDAR, oblique camera, PhaseOne iXM, MG-150E EO/IR gimbal, JoLiDAR-LR22, SAR | MAP61 RGB, SURVEY61, Wingtra LIDAR, INSPECT, MicaSense RedEdge-P | 4/3-inch 20 MP wide camera + tele |
| Public price | on quotation | on quotation | not published (Wingtra lists cost level as "Premium") | see our catalogue sheet |
Sources (checked 21.10.2026): JOUAV CW-15 · JOUAV CW-30E · WingtraRAY · DJI Matrice 4 series specs. JOUAV states that its performance figures are theoretical values from internal laboratory tests and that actual performance may vary. "Not stated" means the figure does not appear on the manufacturer's spec page; we do not fill gaps with estimates.
Which one for which job
Quarries, open-pit mines and aggregates sites
Volume surveys on a quarry are repeated every month or quarter, on the same perimeter. What matters is the number of sorties needed to cover the site and the accuracy of the stockpile volumes.
- Under ~50 ha with steep faces: a multirotor such as the Matrice 4E is easier to deploy, can fly close to benches and takes oblique images.
- Several hundred hectares: a VTOL becomes worthwhile. WingtraRAY states 550 ha per flight with its MAP61 camera; the JOUAV CW-15 states 180 minutes of endurance without payload at 61 km/h.
- Very large or remote sites, corridors, or LiDAR + camera combined: the hybrid JOUAV CW-30E is designed for this class of mission, with 480 minutes of stated endurance, an 8 kg payload and a 200 km control link.
Corridors (pipelines, power lines, roads, rail)
Corridor work rewards range and endurance more than anything else. The CW-30E's stated 480 minutes and 200 km control link put it in a different category from battery VTOLs. Check what your aviation authority allows beyond visual line of sight before choosing: the aircraft's range is rarely the limiting factor, the authorisation is.
Agriculture and forestry mapping
For crop health or forestry inventories over large areas, a battery VTOL with a multispectral sensor is usually sufficient. WingtraRAY lists the MicaSense RedEdge-P; JOUAV's CW-15 page lists camera, LiDAR, oblique, gimbal and SAR payloads but no multispectral sensor, so ask JOUAV directly if you need one. A hybrid aircraft adds fuel handling and maintenance that only pay off on very large areas.
VTOL or multirotor: the honest trade-offs
- Ground covered: a fixed-wing VTOL flies on its wings and uses far less energy per kilometre than a multirotor. That is why stated endurances are measured in hours rather than minutes.
- Take-off area: VTOLs take off vertically, so no runway or catapult is needed. They still need more space than a multirotor, and the CW-30E has a 4.4 m wingspan.
- Weight and regulation: the CW-30E's 38 kg maximum takeoff weight puts it above the 25 kg ceiling of the European "open" category (Regulation (EU) 2019/947, also applied in Switzerland). It can only be flown under an operational authorisation in the "specific" category. Budget the time to prepare it.
- Logistics: a hybrid aircraft means storing and transporting fuel and a heavier maintenance schedule. A battery aircraft means managing battery sets and charging in the field.
- Close-range detail: a multirotor can hover, fly slowly along a façade or a quarry face, and capture oblique detail that a fixed-wing pass cannot.
Where the Autel Dragonfish fits
Autel Robotics also sells the Dragonfish fixed-wing VTOL family (Lite, Standard, Pro) for mapping and surveillance. We could not access Autel's official spec page on 21 October 2026 and dealer listings give conflicting figures, so we do not publish numbers for it here. Ask the supplier for the official spec sheet of the exact configuration quoted.
Buying a JOUAV VTOL outside China
JOUAV aircraft are sold on quotation, and we have not identified a JOUAV dealer established in Switzerland as of 21 October 2026. Before ordering, check the points covered in our guide Buying a Chinese professional drone outside China: export licensing on the Chinese side, warranty terms, where repairs are done, spare parts lead times, training, and the authorisation needed to fly an aircraft above 25 kg.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of a JOUAV CW-30E?
JOUAV does not publish a price for the CW-30E: it is sold on quotation, and the price depends heavily on the payload (LiDAR, PhaseOne camera, EO/IR gimbal) and the ground station package. Ask for an itemised quote that separates aircraft, payload, ground station, spare parts and training.
What is the flight time of the JOUAV CW-30E?
JOUAV states up to 480 minutes, with an 8 kg maximum payload and a 38 kg maximum takeoff weight. JOUAV specifies that these are theoretical laboratory values; real endurance depends on payload, wind and altitude.
JOUAV CW-15 or WingtraRAY?
Both are battery VTOLs for mapping. The CW-15 states up to 180 minutes empty (120 minutes with the MG-120E gimbal) and a 3 kg payload. WingtraRAY states up to 59 minutes and 550 ha per flight at 2.7 cm/px with its MAP61 camera, with 3 cm absolute accuracy with PPK. Wingtra is a Swiss manufacturer based in Zurich; JOUAV is based in Chengdu, China. Compare the coverage you need per day, the sensors you want, and local service availability.
Is a VTOL better than a multirotor for a quarry survey?
Above a few hundred hectares, or when the site is surveyed often, yes: fewer sorties per survey. On small sites with steep faces, a multirotor such as the DJI Matrice 4E (49 minutes stated) is simpler and captures better oblique detail.
Do I need a special authorisation for a 38 kg VTOL?
In Europe and Switzerland, any drone above 25 kg maximum takeoff weight is outside the open category and requires an operational authorisation in the specific category from the aviation authority (FOCA in Switzerland). Other countries have their own rules; check with your national authority.
Is there a JOUAV dealer in Switzerland?
None identified as of 21 October 2026. SinoDrone can forward a written request to a qualified partner; describe your site, area and sensors in the form below.
Edited by SinoDrone (DOGBE MULTISYSTEM, Carouge, Switzerland), an independent comparison site. We do not sell drones. Specifications are taken from manufacturers' public pages on the date shown; they are indicative and never contractual.