VerdeGo Aero Awarded NASA Contract to advance hybrid-electric powerplant
VerdeGo Aero has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract under NASA’s SBIR Ignite program, where it will demonstrate how its VH‑3–185 hybrid-electric powerplant is applicable in electric aircraft.
SBIR Ignite is a pilot initiative for high-growth, product-oriented entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses to use NASA as a stepping stone in their path towards commercial success.
It funds small US businesses in their early-stage, high-risk technology development to help make them and their technologies more attractive to private sector investors, customers, and partners.
During the six-month effort, VerdeGo will also complete conceptual design studies on four types of electric aircraft.
Eric Bartsch, CEO of VerdeGo Aero, said: “VerdeGo Aero is honored to have been selected by NASA for the SBIR Ignite program. The VH‑3 is a Hyper-efficient technology that enables electric aircraft to have the range and endurance needed for safe and practical operations. When paired with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the VH‑3 provides a fully sustainable powerplant solution.“
Built around a custom version of the SMA SR305, an EASA-certified and FAA-validated aviation compression engine, the VH‑3–185 generates 185 kW (249 hp) of electricity to power the electric motors of an electric aircraft.
The VH‑3 uses commonly available fuel and boasts an industry-leading fuel burn of about 10 gallons per hour at full throttle.
Dave Spitzer, VerdeGo’s Vice President of Product Development, added: “The VH‑3 can be a game-changer for eVTOL aircraft. The batteries in eVTOL aircraft can provide a lot of power, but not for long periods adding a ton of weight to the aircraft.
“The VH‑3, when paired with three hours of fuel, weighs about 80 per cent less than a battery that could provide the same flight time.”
Riccardo Roiati, VerdeGo’s Principal Investigator for the study, added, “We’re excited to show NASA and the world what the VH‑3 can do – its flexibility, its efficiency, and how it can be applied to different electrified aircraft.”
