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Aerospace Testing News MagniX Achieves Historic Milestone in NASA Electric Propulsion Unit Testing magniX, a leader in electric aviation, announced the successful completion of ground testing for its Magni650 Electric Propulsion Unit (EPU) at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) in Sandusky, Ohio. The Magni650 achieved a significant milestone by operating at a simulated altitude of 30,000 feet and a maximum continuous power of 700 kilowatts (kW). This successful high-altitude simulation demonstrates the EPU's readiness for the flight test phase of NASA's Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, bringing the world closer to the first certification of an electric engine for aviation. The next phase of the EPFD project will involve replacing one of the four turbine engines on MagniX's De Havilland Dash 7 test aircraft with a magni650 electric powertrain, with test flights anticipated for 2026. Ultimately, a second turbine engine will be replaced, aiming for a fuel consumption reduction of up to 40% on typical flights . Data collected from this testing will accelerate the entry-into-service of electric propulsion for large-scale commercial aircraft by the end of the decade . MagniX, with its record of powering first flights for five different aircraft and the recent launch of its high-performance Samson batteries, provides a complete electric powertrain solution. Ben Loxton, MagniX VP of technical programs, stated that the NEAT test campaign significantly advances the path towards the first electric powertrain certification and will enable the electrification of regional commercial aviation, both in pure electric mode for short routes and hybrid mode for longer routes, contributing to the decarbonization of aerospace. #Aerospace #ElectricAviation #AviationNews

magniX Achieves Historic Milestone in Completing NASA Test Campaign - magniX, the company powering the electric aviation revolution, today announced a historic milestone in completing testing of its magni650 electric propulsion unit (EPU) at NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) in Sandusky, Ohio. The magni650 successfully performed at an altitude of 30,000 feet at a maximum continuous power of 700 kilowatts (kw) – an unprecedented achievement for an electric engine. The breakthrough performance of magniX’s EPU under simulated flight conditions at altitude demonstrates its readiness for the flight test phase of NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project and moves it closer to the world’s first electric engine certification. In the next stage of EPFD, one of the four turbine engines on magniX’s De Havilland Dash 7 test aircraft will be replaced with a magni650 electric powertrain, with test flights planned for 2026. The final stage of the program will see a second turbine engine substituted with another magniX powertrain. This configuration is expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40% on a typical flight. Through the data collected, this will bring the electrification of large-scale commercial aircraft closer to entry-into-service by the end of the decade. With an unmatched record of powering first flights on five different aircraft, magniX is leading the advancement of electric aviation. Having launched its Samson batteries earlier in 2024, with unmatched energy density and cycle-life, magniX provides a full electric powertrain solution with a clear pathway to entry-into-service. “The NEAT test campaign has moved us closer to the world’s first certification of an electric powertrain for aviation,” said Ben Loxton, magniX VP of Technical Programs. “The work we are doing with NASA in the EPFD project will enable the electrification of regional commercial aviation in pure electric on short routes, and hybridization on longer routes – significant steps toward the decarbonization of aerospace.” #NEAT #magniX

Here’s a recap of the other relevant news for civil aviation: 🔥 NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration has shared some news about its effort in shrinking the core of future hybrid-electric turbofan jet engine. With the final goal of reducing fuel burn by 10% compared to today’s engines, the project Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) is wrapping up Phase 1, focused on selecting the component technologies to use in the core demonstrator. The idea was to increase heat and pressure to maintain the thrust, at the expense of thermal loads and aerodynamic efficiency. At this purpose, the work focused on improving #cooling, #materials and #aerodynamics. Now, Phase 2 will see researchers design, build, and test a compact core in collaboration with GE Aerospace, thus representing an integral part of CFM International (CFM)’s RISE program. Technologies tested in the HyTEC program will help enable a much higher bypass ratio, hybridization, and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels. 🔥 Heart Aerospace has shown the redesigned version of its developmental ES-30 #hybridelectric regional aircraft. Among the most relevant news, switching to an off-the-shelf propulsion system – a combination of stock turboprops and electric motors. The turbo generator in the rear fuselage has been dropped in place of turboprops (probably supplied by Pratt & Whitney Canada, General Electric or Safran) coupled with e-motors directly on the wing. The strut-braced wings have been dropped too, moving also the under-fuselage battery (designed with BAE Systems) to the rear part of the aircraft. In addition, the first flight expected for 2025 will be performed on an uncrewed version of its full-scale demonstrator aircraft. 🔥 Also Eviation Aircraft has reshaped its Alice #allelectric commuter aircraft, completing the conceptual design review of the nine-seater. The modifications are expected to improve manufacturability, certification prospects and performance. The new design features large winglets, a constant-cross section design and higher pylons holding the electric motors. A production-conforming prototype is expected to fly in 2025. 🔥 Lilium announced the start of wind tunnel testing on a complete 40% scale of its all-electric vertical take-off and landing (#eVOTL) jet. The activities are carried out at the DNW - German-Dutch Wind Tunnels facility in Marknesse, Netherlands. The testing will enable Lilium to obtain a comprehensive aerodynamic dataset to validate its flight physics and performance predictions, investigating the complete aircraft flight envelope from hover to cruise.

Could electric power transform the future of regional aviation? magniX has successfully completed high-altitude testing of its magni650 electric propulsion unit (EPU) at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) in Sandusky, Ohio. The EPU demonstrated reliable performance at simulated altitudes of 30,000 feet, delivering a maximum continuous power of 700 kilowatts—a key milestone for the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. Ben Loxton, MagniX’s Vice President of Technical Programs, emphasized the significance of the tests: “The NEAT test campaign has moved us closer to the world’s first certification of an electric powertrain for aviation. This work with NASA will enable pure electric short routes and hybridization for longer routes, advancing decarbonization.” As part of the next EPFD phase, MagniX will replace one of four turbine engines on a De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Dash 7 test aircraft with the magni650 powertrain, with flight tests planned for 2026. In the final stage, a second turbine engine will be replaced, aiming to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40%. What are your thoughts on the future of electric-powered commercial aviation? For more details on this breakthrough and upcoming tests, visit our blog: https://lnkd.in/gtsXsDbw #MagniX #NASA #ElectricAviation #EPFD #ElectricPropulsion #DeHavillandDash7 #AerospaceInnovation #SustainableAviation #NEAT #Decarbonization #AviationTechnology #AvfoilNews

Excited to join @Pais Effect Technologies (PET) as their new Head of Extraterrestrial Affairs! PET develops anti-gravity propulsion technologies that will literally propel humanity to a Type 1 civilisation level. In the last few months, we have quietly secured key technology transfer agreements with main launch providers in the US and Europe. The technology uses monoatomic eggshell powder and it will redefine the entire supply-chain for accessing space and we can’t wait to share more with you! Watch this space! 🚀🪺🐟 This footage shows the Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar! It was a VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft developed by Avro Canada as part of a secret U.S. military project during the early years of the Cold War. The Avrocar was designed to be a supersonic fighter-bomber, but its circular shape gave it the appearance of a "flying saucer". The project began in the early 1950s when Avro Canada's chief designer, John Frost, became intrigued by the idea of a plane that could take off, land, hover, and reach near supersonic speeds in every direction. The Avrocar was intended to exploit the Coandă effect to provide lift and thrust from a single "turborotor" blowing exhaust out the rim of the disc-shaped aircraft. The vehicle was powered by three Continental J-69 turbojet engines, which turned a central impeller or "turborotor" to create a cushion of air for it to float upon at low altitudes. When the thrust was directed toward the rear, the aircraft would accelerate and gain altitude. Despite the innovative concept, the Avrocar faced numerous challenges during development and testing. From the start, the design was unstable and difficult to fly. Through extensive testing and modifications, the Avrocar was still only able to hover at a height of about three feet and travel at speeds not exceeding 35 mph. Two prototypes of the Avrocar were built and underwent a series of tests, including wind tunnel testing and flight programs at NASA Ames and the Avro facility. The results revealed stability problems and degraded performance due to turbo-rotor tolerances. The Avrocar could only reach a maximum speed of 35 mph, and attempts to fly more than three feet above the ground resulted in uncontrollable pitch and roll motions, which the Avro engineers called "hubcapping". Ultimately, the Avrocar did not meet its performance goals, and the project was canceled in December 1961 after an expenditure of more than $10 million. The two prototypes that were built are now on display at museums in the United States: one at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and the other at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis, Virginia. The Avrocar project, despite its failure to achieve its ambitious goals, remains a fascinating chapter in aviation history and truly showed the innovative spirit of its time. 🎥 credit: Avoileon on IG #space

GE Aerospace and NASA have advanced the development of their hybrid electric aircraft engine! This engine will embed electric motor/generators in a high-bypass commercial turbofan, to supplement power during different phases of operation. It’s one of several efforts GE Aerospace has underway to mature technologies for more electric aircraft engines, and is being advanced as part of the Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) programme. 🙌 Some more amazing steps towards a sustainable future in aerospace manufacturing! As key suppliers to GE Aerospace ourselves, it's rewarding to know that our products are contributing to the advancement of technology like this! ♻️ Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3VWWvh0 #Aerospace #Aviation #HybridElectric #Sustainability #UKmanufacturing #UKmfg

There is some hope for potential successors to the X-plane series! 😮 As part of a new NASA-funded study, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science researchers published data in the June issue of the journal Aerospace Science and Technology that showed for the first time that airflow in supersonic combusting jet engines can be controlled by an optical sensor. The finding could lead to more efficient stabilization of hypersonic jet aircraft. In addition, the researchers achieved adaptive control of a scramjet engine, representing another first for hypersonic propulsion. Adaptive engine control systems respond to changes in dynamics to keep the system’s overall performance optimal. Read more: https://hubs.la/Q02F-HRJ0 #beckwoodpress #manufacturing #manufacturer #industrial #industrialmanufacturing #engineering #technology #innovation #aerospace

Hercules to be the biggest electrified aircraft Wright Electric is developing the powertrain for a hybrid version of the C-130 transport aircraft, the Hercules, writes Nick Flaherty. It would use two conventional turbines and two electric propulsors, with the batteries held in the cargo area, making it the largest aircraft to be electrified. The project would use the second-generation, MW-class motor, the WM2500, built with support from the US ARPA-E programme and NASA space agency, which is nearly complete. The stator is wound, the rotor is complete and all of the mechanical components are finished. Final assembly will begin later this year. The WM2500 is a 2.5 MW electric propulsion unit, designed for ducted fan and propeller-based applications. It fits into the existing engine nacelle, says Colin Tschida, CTO of Wright Electric. The 2×2 approach allows all four engines to be used for takeoff, and the two electric motors can be used for quieter, more stealthy flight at altitude. The hybrid design would be able to carry six pallets, each with a volume of 463 L, although the payload will be reduced from 40,000 lb to 25,000 lb. Hybridisation can also save between 27% and 44% of the fuel used. The project needs improvements in the power distribution systems. NASA is working on lightweight, high-conductivity cables and advanced circuit breakers able to handle high voltages of 800 V and 1200 V safely at high altitudes. Wright Electric is also developing a lightweight battery pack with an energy density of 1000 Wh/kg at pack level. “We have experience of building lightweight, thermally managed, electric propulsion systems, and we see a way to apply that knowledge to the design of large, molten battery packs,” said Tschida. Initial packs will be released for lab testing in 2025, with the first rollout to early adopters targeted for 2027. Click here to access more news articles & deeper technical investigations into e-mobility ▶ https://lnkd.in/exVm22ce #electricaircraft #electricflight #electricaviation #aviation #aircraft #electrification