To explore the possibilities of electric flight, we originally teamed with Airbus and Siemens to work on a new hybrid-electric technology flight demonstrator, E-Fan X, which is due to take to the skies in 2021. In June 2019, in conjunction with Airbus, Siemens took the business decision to leave the project.
Vision for Aviation
The programme is committed to meeting the EU technical environmental goals of the European Commission’s Flightpath 2050 Vision for Aviation (reduction of CO2 by 75%, reduction of NOx by 90% and noise reduction by 65%).
These cannot be achieved with the technologies existing today. Therefore, we are investing in and focusing research work in different technology areas including electrification. Electric and hybrid-electric propulsion are seen today as among the most promising technologies for addressing these challenges.
For us, it’s an exciting challenge as we deliver a two megawatt electric motor – the most powerful in the world to ever fly.
The E-Fan X demonstrator will explore the challenges of high-power propulsion systems, such as thermal effects, electric thrust management, altitude and dynamic effects on electric systems and electromagnetic compatibility issues. The objective is to push and mature the technology, performance, safety and reliability enabling quick progress on the hybrid electric technology. The programme also aims at establishing the requirements for future certification of electrically powered aircraft while training a new generation of designers and engineers to bring hybrid-electric commercial aircraft one step closer to reality.