Rolls-Royce
powers up electric aircraft ahead of world record attemp
Rolls-Royce
has completed the first taxiing of its Spirit of Innovation aircraft, ahead of
its first flight before the summer and an attempt to break the world record for
the fastest electric airplane later this year.
The
airplane powered along a runway driven by its 500hp (400kw) electric powertrain
for the first time in February. Taxiing is a critical test of the integration of
the aircraft’s propulsion system, ahead of flight testing.
Rolls-Royce
plans to set the world record for the fastest electric aircraft in the world by
achieving a target speed of more than 300mph (480km/h) early next
year.
According
to the Guinness Book of World Records, the fastest electric aircraft in the
world is the Extra 330LE, which during a flight on 23 March 2017 in Germany
reached a top-speed of 213mph (342km/h).
The
Spirit of Innovation technology demonstrator uses electric motors and
controllers from YASA and aviation startup Electroflight. It is being developed
as part of a £6.37 million (US$9 million) ACCEL (accelerating the
electrification of flight) research program, which is being part funded by the
UK Government.
Rob
Watson, director of Rolls-Royce Electrical said, “Taxiing of the Spirit of
Innovation is an incredible milestone for the ACCEL team as we progress to first
flight and the world-record attempt later this year.
“For
the first time, the plane propelled itself forward using the power from a
battery and propulsion system that is ground-breaking in terms of electrical
technology.”
Ground
testing of the aircraft was completed last September and lasted nine months,
during which the propeller was run up to full speed, around 2,400 rpm, using
what Rolls-Royce says is the most power-dense battery pack ever assembled for
aircraft propulsion. Over 6,000 cells are packaged in the battery.
As
part of the program, Rolls-Royce engineers first developed a full-scale replica
of the plane’s core in a test airframe they called ionBird.
Rolls-Royce
hopes that developments made in the Spirit of Innovation’s electrical powertrain
and battery system as a result of the R&D program will be used in the
company’s future range of motors, power electronics and batteries for the
general aerospace, urban air mobility and small commuter aircraft
sectors.
The
Spirit Of Innovation will be used in an attempt to break the world record for
the fastest electric aircraft next year
The
powertrain and battery pack was ground tested for nine months before integration
into the airframe
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