NASA’s first all-electric experimental aircraft, also known as the X-plane, has arrived at the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
The X-57 was delivered by Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero), which is based in California, on Wednesday, in the first of three configurations as an all-electric aircraft (Modification II or Mod II). NASA says researchers will use it to demo the benefits electric propulsion may have for emissions, efficiency, and noise.
The delivery is a major milestone for NASA engineers, because they’ll be able to start putting the aircraft through ground tests, which will be followed by taxi tests and then flight tests. The X-57’s Mod II vehicle features the replacement of traditional combustion engines on a baseline Tecnam P2006T aircraft with electric cruise motors, according to NASA.
“The X-57 Mod II aircraft delivery to NASA is a significant event, marking the beginning of a new phase in this exciting electric X-plane project. With the aircraft in our possession, the X-57 team will soon conduct extensive ground testing of the integrated electric propulsion system to ensure the aircraft is airworthy,” said X-57 project manager Tom Rigney. “We plan to rapidly share valuable lessons learned along the way as we progress toward flight testing, helping to inform the growing electric aircraft market.”
Just arrived at @NASAArmstrong: our 1st all-electric experimental aircraft, or X-plane! ✈️@NASAaero researchers will use it to demo the benefits electric propulsion may have for efficiency, noise and emissions. Details: https://t.co/K6DYLBpr9m pic.twitter.com/Kht2idCjCs
— NASA (@NASA) October 3, 2019
An important goal of the X-57 project is to help form certification standards for emerging electric aircraft markets. NASA will share the aircraft’s electric-propulsion-focused design with regulators and the industry.
The X-57 team is using a “design driver” as a technical challenge, which includes zero in-flight carbon emissions, a 500 percent increase in high-speed cruise efficiency, and a quieter flight for communities on the ground.
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