BAE Systems To Develop Fly-By-Wire System For Supernal eVTOL

BAE Systems is to deliver a lightweight flight computer.

 

Credit: Supernal

BAE Systems is to develop the flight computer for Supernal’s electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The company will design a lightweight, fly-by-wire system for the eVTOL aircraft, it said on Oct. 17.

“The development of advanced, high-integrity controls is crucial to meet the demands of electric aircraft,” says Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president of controls and avionics solutions at BAE Systems. “BAE Systems is harnessing its investment in electrification and expertise in flight-critical systems to advance sustainable aviation.”

The compact flight computer will also have enough processing power to potentially enable autonomy for the eVTOL aircraft, BAE Systems says. The product could also be used for large regional electric aircraft. Work on the flight control system will be done at BAE Systems’ facility in Endicott, New York.

Supernal also announced that it would use Honeywell’s Anthem flight deck in its eVTOL. The company is aiming to start commercial operations of its piloted, four-passenger eVTOL aircraft in 2028. Supernal is based in the U.S. and was launched by South Korean automaker Hyundai. 

Garrett Reim

Based in the Seattle area, Garrett covers the space sector and advanced technologies that are shaping the future of aerospace and defense, including space startups, advanced air mobility and artificial intelligence.