global briefing
Airbus
electrification
program achieves
key milestones
Airbus’ E-Fan X technology demonstrator made its
final test flight last month before it is modified with
its hybrid-electric propulsion system and flown
next year.
The flight from Cranfield University in the UK of the
BAe146 RJ100 was conducted on February 25. The
aircraft is to be modified to accommodate a
hybrid-electric propulsion system supplied by
Rolls-Royce and flown in that configuration next year.
The E-Fan X will be the latest iteration of Airbus’ E Fan
series of aircraft, the first of which was developed in
2014. The project to develop the latest technology
demonstrator is a partnership between Airbus and
Rolls-Royce that is receiving £58m (US$74m) of funding
from the UK Government.
Bob Gilfillan, chief engineer E-Fan X at BAE Systems
Air said, “The aircraft has been under our control since
October. There were some test flights conducted then
and at the end of February to baseline the performance,
so that after it’s modified we can assess the impact of
the hybrid-electric system accurately.
“When we are using our Design Organisation
Approval we are usually in charge of the program, but
this case is unusual in that we are supplying that
supervision and responsibility of the aircraft as a service
to Airbus.”
BAE Systems’ involvement is focused on making the
modifications to the BAe146’s systems and structure to
integrate the hybrid-electric system. This includes
changes to the hydraulic and electrical systems as well
as structural modifications.
As a demonstrator, the aircraft’s certificate of
airworthiness is no longer valid and BAE Systems are
providing the permit to fly under delegated approval
from EASA and CAA. The aircraft is currently being
supervised by specialist BAe146-maintenance provider
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Avalon Aero at Cranfield and will remain there until
October this year.
The move at this time will be necessary because after
the modifications the aircraft initially has to be flown
without the hybrid system switched on. It is capable of
flying on three engines but requires a longer runway
than is present at Cranfield University to do so.
TEST FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Test flights of the modified aircraft are being conducted
by Airbus Test Operations. The main test flight program
is expected to start out of Toulouse, France at the end of
2021 and last around six months.
As well as looking at handling and aerodynamics in
different environmental conditions, the flight test
instrumentation will include equipment to closely
measure the performance of the electrical system and
will record current and voltages.
// The E-Fan X arrives at
Cranfield University, UK in
February 2020 for baseline
flight testing
/AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM