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CX-1 model is 7% scale with 10 elected ducted fans embedded in the wing.
Startup Cosmic Aerospace has flown a subscale model of its planned Skylark 24-seat all-electric regional airliner.
The 7%-scale CX-1 is planned to be followed by the CX-2, an uncrewed model twice the size, with higher performance and an increased engine count.
The Skylark has a long-span, low-drag wing with an array of 32 electric ducted fans embedded in the inner section. This makes the inboard wingbox deeper, which reduces the weight penalty of the high aspect ratio. On the ground, the wing folds outboard of the engine section to fit regional gates at airports.
Cosmic has already ground tested a full-scale prototype of its 500-lb.-thrust electric jet engine. Founded in 2021 and based in Belgium and U.S., the startup raised $4.5 million in seed funding in early 2024 and plans a Series A fundraising round in 2025, first flight in 2026 and service entry in 2029.
The Skylark is designed to fly 24 passengers 600 mi. at 350 mph, based on a battery energy density of 320 Wh/kg at the pack level. The long-span wing and embedded engines, first tested using the subscale CX-1, are key to a targeted 80% reduction in energy consumption compared to a conventional aircraft.
Cosmic says the goal of the subscale CX-1 was to demonstrate system integration with 10 embedded engines, validate the stability and control characteristics of the wing configuration, test the autonomous flight control system and develop an internal capability to rapidly design, build and test aircraft.
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