The ground tests are of the hybrid-electric propulsion system that will power the modified De Havilland Dash 8-100 flight demonstrator starting in 2024.
Dropped from 50 ft., the representative full-scale, 800-volt battery module absorbed the impact load with no significant damage at the cell or pack level.
Air New Zealand has selected the four aerospace companies it will partner with in its evaluation of zero-emission technology for a future aircraft order.
The hybrid-electric propulsion system for the latest demonstrator will be built around a turbine engine being developed by an unnamed major engine manufacturer.