Using distributed electric propulsion to blow air over the wing and flaps promises to enable ultra-short-takeoff-and-landing capability but poses challenges for flight control because of the strong coupling between aerodynamics and propulsion, between generating lift and producing thrust.
Whisper Aero plans to test its quiet propulsor technology on a 55-lb. intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance demonstrator drone as part of two Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer contracts.
The project will modify a Dornier 328 regional turboprop with a zero-emission hydrogen-electric powertrain; the demonstrator aircraft is planned to fly in 2025.
With 15 years of experience with hydrogen propulsion over six generations of fuel-cell powertrain, Germany’s H2Fly is preparing to take the next steps: flying on liquid hydrogen and moving up to a 40-seat regional airliner.
Robinson Helicopter says it will switch to electric power for its light helicopters when it “makes sense” and is closely watching progress being made by California-based Tier 1 Engineering on a battery-powered R44 conversion program.
A joint taskforce will assess challenges around green hydrogen regulations, infrastructure and global supply chains, including the production of green hydrogen and the infrastructure needed to support delivery to airports and fuel aircraft.
U.S. startup CoFlow Jet has struck an agreement with NASA to commercialize deflected-slipstream technology that would enable an electric vertical/short takeoff and landing (eV/STOL) aircraft to transition to efficient cruise without requiring tilting mechanisms or separate lift rotors.
South Korean startup Plana has unveiled plans to develop a hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi with the range to enable intercity flights and service entry planned for 2028.
The Workhorse Group may have sold off its SureFly electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi program to Moog, but the U.S. electric delivery truck maker is continuing to develop its Horsefly unmanned aircraft.
Indian multinational engineering services provider Tech Mahindra is collaborating with Aska on the design of the U.S. startup’s drive/fly electric vertical takeoff and landing commuter vehicle.
Large electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) “buses” could find a role operating alongside air taxis on commuter flights and dense routes such as airport shuttles, according to a study being led by GK Aerospace under the UK’s Future Flight Challenge.
Pratt & Whitney is to design a high-efficiency, hydrogen-fueled aircraft turbine engine with funding support from the U.S. Energy Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy.
The plant is projected to grow to 1 gigawatt-a-year production capacity by 2028 to fulfill conditional pre-orders for 600 aircraft systems from ZeroAvia and Piasecki Aircraft as well as Airbus.
Born out of a UK Royal Aeronautical Society design competition in 2020, Orca Aerospace is taking the next step in development of its electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicle.
Small unmanned aircraft equipped with meteorological instruments have flown simulated urban and suburban delivery routes on the Daytona Beach, Florida, campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to help develop hyperlocal weather prediction tools needed for autonomous flights in populated areas.
Rolls-Royce has signed a memorandum of understanding with Luxembourg-based business jet and helicopter service provider and fixed-based operator Luxaviation to collaborate on the development and deployment of advanced air mobility.
