As part of Airlander’s journey towards electrification we have been working in partnership with Collins Aerospace, specialists in electric power systems, and the University of Nottingham, leaders in electric propulsion research, on the E-HAV1 project. As the electric propulsion landscape evolves and more options enter the market the E-HAV1 project has come to a natural end, with all parties taking away significant learnings from the project. These learnings will inform current and future activities, as we work towards the future of electric propulsion.

The project has brought together leaders in the field to research and develop electric propulsion technologies for Airlander and other conventional fixed wing regional aircraft, funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute’s (ATI) Strategic Programme. This project reflects the collaborative commitment to reducing aviation’s impact on the environment.

The project has been successful in pushing forward the partners collective knowledge base across regulatory, technology, manufacturing, and testing aspects of electric powertrains for aviation. Airlander is the world’s most efficient large aircraft by design. Our mission is to create a form of transportation that connects the unconnected, creating new networks, transporting people and things, all while reducing aviation’s carbon emissions. Airlander’s technology roadmap targets a fully electric Airlander 10 in service by 2030, delivering the first large zero-carbon regional aircraft to market. Our work with Collins Aerospace and the University of Nottingham has been pivotal in allowing us to understand the electric propulsion landscape that will make an all-electric Airlander a reality.

The E-HAV1 project has created strong, collaborative relationships and we look forward to continuing to work together on Airlander’s path to electric flight. Collins Aerospace will be working with the Hybrid Air Vehicles team as a Technology Partner, and we plan to keep working closely with the University of Nottingham as the technology landscape evolves.

The E-HAV1 project has been vital in pushing us forward in our journey towards electrifying Airlander. I have been pleased to see the importance of collaboration across industry proven on this crucial project that will pave the way to a more sustainable future for aviation.

Mike Durham Chief Technical Officer, Hybrid Air Vehicles

E-HAV 1 has provided significant maturity to the Power Electronics and Machine Control group with respect to developing the knowledge base for Silicon Carbide based Motor Drive Electronics (MDE). It has also established the capability to provide our aerospace partners with the ability to perform advanced systems integration and testing beyond the lab environment. Additionally, the University of Nottingham has benefitted from the knowledge exchange and research leadership developed by collaborating with Hybrid Air Vehicles and Collins Aerospace. I look forward to our continued partnerships as we strive to realise Zero Carbon-based propulsion technologies in the future of aviation.

Hamzah Sikander Portfolio Manager, University of Nottingham

At Collins, our technology roadmap calls for the development of a family of electric motors that can be scaled up or down to meet the aircraft electrification needs of a variety of future platforms. E-HAV1 provided invaluable learnings that helped us advance the maturity of our electric motors, which are poised to play a critical role in helping the aviation industry reduce carbon emissions. We look forward to continuing to explore future opportunities for collaboration with Hybrid Air Vehicles, the University of Nottingham and ATI as part of this critical public-private partnership to innovate new aerospace technologies in the UK.

Suzy Efstathiou Site Lead, Collins’ Electronic Controls and Motor Systems Centre, Solihull

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