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The EcoPulse aircraft demonstrator successfully performed its first flight test in hybrid-electric mode. The demonstrator flew with its ePropellers activated and powered by a battery and turbogenerator. EcoPulse took off on Nov. 29 for a flight test lasting approximately 100 minutes and verifying the proper functioning of the aircraft.
EcoPulse is a hybrid-electric distributed propulsion aircraft demonstrator that was jointly developed by Daher, Safran and Airbus. The demonstrator took off from Tarbes Airport on Nov. 29 and flew for 100 minutes. During the flight, the crew engaged the electric propellers and verified the function of the aircraft demonstrator's flight control computer, high-voltage battery pack, distributed electric propulsion and hybrid-electric turbogenerator. The first flight is the culmination of major technical milestones, including extensive ground testing and 10 hours of flight tests of the aircraft with the electrical system inactive.RELATED STORIES:Daher unveils EcoPulse demonstrator and talks sustainability at Paris Air ShowEcoPulse is one step closer to test flight with addition of high-voltage battery
"We confirmed today that this disruptive propulsion system works in flight, which paves the way for more sustainable aviation," said Eric Dalbiès, Safran's executive vice president of strategy and CTO. "The lessons learned from upcoming flight tests will feed into our technology roadmap and strengthen our position as a leader in future all-electric and hybrid-electric propulsive systems."
The aircraft demonstrator was unveiled at the 2019 Paris Air Show. EcoPulse is a major collaborative project in Europe in the field of aviation decarbonization. The project is supported by the French Civil Aviation Research Council (CORAC) and co-funded by the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) through France Relance (the French government's economy recovery plan) and NextGeneration EU. The demonstrator will evaluate the operational advantages of integrating hybrid-electric distributed propulsion with a specific emphasis on CO2 emissions and noise level reduction. Using disruptive propulsion architecture will enable the use of an independent electrical source to power various electric motors distributed throughout the aircraft.
EcoPulse is based on a Daher TBM aircraft platform and equipped with six integrated electric thrusters or e-Propellers supplied by Safran distributed along the wings. The propulsion system integrates two power sources, a turbogenerator and a high-energy density battery pack. The turbogenerator is an electric generator driven by a gas turbine and supplied by Safran and the battery pack is supplied by Airbus. The Power Distribution and Rectifier Unit (PDRU) is responsible for protecting the high-voltage network and distributing available electrical power as well as high-voltage power harnesses, both provided by Safran.
"This is a major milestone for our industry and we're proud to have powered the EcoPulse demonstrator's first flight with our new battery systems," Airbus CTO Sabine Klauke said. "High-energy density batteries will be necessary to reduce carbon emissions from aviation, whether for light aircraft, advanced air mobility or large hybrid-electric aircraft. Projects like EcoPulse are key to accelerating progress in electric and hybrid electric flight, and a cornerstone of our aim to decarbonize the aerospace industry as a whole."Wing view with the ePropellers activated
The battery pack designed and supplied by Airbus is rated at 800 Volts DC and can deliver up to 350 kilowatts of power. The demonstrator will also benefit from the aerodynamic and acoustic integration expertise of the manufacturer. Airbus has also developed the Flight Control Computer permitting aircraft maneuvers using the ePropellers and synchrophasing to support future aircraft acoustic recommendations.
"The flight campaign will give Daher invaluable data on the effectiveness of the onboard technologies, including distributed propulsion, high-voltage batteries and hybrid-electric propulsion," Daher CTO Pascal Laguerre said. "We're working to converge practical and significant know-how on design, certification and operation to shape our path toward more sustainable aircraft for the future."