NASA unveils its hybrid-electric aircraft for first time
- NASA have unveiled their hybrid-electric aircraft for the first time
- Its a collaboration three years in the works with magniX USA
- Flight tests still need to be carried out
Published on Sep 13, 2024 at 2:58 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Sep 13, 2024 at 6:48 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
NASA has unveiled its hybrid-electric aircraft for the first time.
The space agency began work on the Electric Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project back in 2021.
Its their hope to utilize electrified aircraft propulsion technologies to cut down on emissions in commercial flying.
A modified De Havilland Dash 7 aircraft was used for this project undertaken by NASA and their partner magniX USA.
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NASA and magniX USA’s project is finally unveiled
On the plane is a hybrid electric propulsion system, installed by magniX.
It is made up of conventional turbo-propellor engines which work alongside electric motors.
Two of these will be installed inside the plane, providing it with 943 electric horsepower.
As reported by autoevolution, the EPFD saw more major progress in April when the powertrain completed its first round of tests at the Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.
Thus far, experiments have been carried out on the ground to make sure it will be safe for use in the air.
It wouldn’t be until August 22 that the plane would be shown to the public, when it was brought to King County International Airport in Seattle, Washington.
The future for EPFD
Further tests are to be carried out on the plane, which now sports a livery to honor the collaboration between magniX and NASA.
Speaking of the project, Ben Loxton, who serves as the vice president for magniX’s work on EPFD, said: “EPFD is about showing how regional-scale aircraft, through ground and flight tests, can be made more sustainable through electric technology that is available right now.”
It’s planned for the aircraft to do some flight tests out in Moses Lake, Washington.
But before that, magniX will be working on installing the new engine supplied by Air Tindi into the plane.
Electric-hybrid aircraft appear to be the next big thing, with different companies trying their hand at it.
A few years back, there was talk of an electric plane that could be charged from a plug in the wall, but that remained a concept.
The need for humans to fly isn’t going away anytime soon, so hopefully a more eco-friendly solution will be found shortly.
Ben Thompson
Ben got his start in journalism at Kennedy News and Media, writing stories for national newspapers, websites and magazines. Now working as a freelancer, he divides his time between teaching at News Associates and writing for news sites on all subjects.
