Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens will cooperate to produce electrical and propulsion technologies for commercial aircraft, according to Siemens' statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the E-Fan X hybrid-electric technology demonstrator is anticipated to fly in 2020 following a comprehensive ground test campaign, provisionally on a BAe 146 flying testbed, with one of the aircraft’s four gas turbine engines replaced by a two-megawatt electric motor.
As part of the E-Fan X program, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens will each contribute their extensive experience and know-how in their respective fields of expertise.
'Airbus will be responsible for overall integration as well as the control architecture of the hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries, and its
integration with flight controls,' the statement read.
While Rolls-Royce will be responsible for the turbo-shaft engine, two-megawatt generator, and power electronics. Along with Airbus, Rolls-Royce will also
work on the fan adaptation to the existing nacelle and the Siemens electric motor.
In addition, Siemens will deliver the two-megawatt electric motors and their power electronic control unit, as well as the inverter, DC/DC converter, and power distribution system.
This comes on top of the E-Aircraft Systems House collaboration between Airbus and Siemens, launched in 2016, which aims at development and maturation of various electric propulsion system components and their terrestrial demonstration across various power classes.
'Provisions will be made to replace a second gas turbine with an electric motor once system maturity has been proven,' Siemens said.
The statement also said 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 partners are committed to meeting the EU technical environmental goals of the European Commission’s Flightpath 2050 Vision for Aviation (reduction of CO2 by 60 percent, reduction of NOx by 90 percent and noise reduction by 75 percent),' according to the statement.
'These cannot be achieved with the technologies existing today. Therefore, Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens are investing in and focusing research work in different technology areas including electrification,' the statement said.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr