NASA has selected GE Aviation and magniX to support its Electric Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) that will rapidly mature Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) technologies through ground and flight demonstrations.
Through the EPFD program, NASA seeks to introduce EAP technologies to US aviation fleets no later than 2035, supporting short-range and regional commercial air travel, as well as single-aisle seat transports.
The awards under the EPFD project announcement are hybrid firm fixed-price/cost-share. The total combined value for the awards is $253.4 million and the work will be conducted over the next five years.
Robert Pearce, associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said: “By taking these concepts to flight, NASA and its partners will accelerate the transition of EAP technologies into commercial products and be a catalyst for economic growth.
“We expect to realise significant improvements in the economic and environmental performance of subsonic transports through incorporation of these novel alternative propulsion and energy technologies into the fleet.”
Over five years, both GE Aviation and magniX will conduct ground and flight test demonstrations of their EAP technologies applicable to commercial aircraft transports. Earlier this year, magniX developed the 750-horsepower (560 kW) magni500 propulsion system which was used in the world’s largest all-electric commercial aircraft. It completed its first maiden test flight earlier this year.
They will collaborate with other NASA projects on EAP development, flight test instrumentation, and data analysis. And they will stimulate spiral developments of megawatt-class EAP systems and technology.
Gaudy Bezos‑O’Connor, EPFD project manager at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia, added: “GE Aviation and MagniX will perform integrated megawatt-class powertrain system ground and flight demonstrations to validate their concepts, and project benefits for future EAP aircraft configurations.
“These demonstrations will identify and retire technical barriers and integration risks. It will also help inform the development of standards and regulations for future EAP systems.”
The EPFD project is a part of NASA’s Integrated Aviation Systems Program (IASP) which conducts flight-oriented, system-level research and technology development to mature and transition advanced aeronautic technologies into future air vehicles and operational systems. IASP focuses on the execution of highly complex flight tests and related experiments to support all phases of NASA’s aeronautics research.