As part of the ongoing 2022 Farnborough International Airshow, Collins Aerospace has announced this morning that it has produced an electric motor for Hybrid Air Vehicles’ Airlander 10 airship. The 500-kilowatt component, which was developed in partnership with the University of Nottingham, will be part of a scalable family.
Big news
The announcement marks a key milestone for both Collins Aerospace and the Airlander 10 program, with the latter looking to reach zero-emissions scheduled operations in 2030. Hybrid Air Vehicles, whose airship first flew a decade ago under the name HAV 304, has itself been closely involved in the motor’s development.
While Collins Aerospace is based in the US, the new motor for the Airlander 10 is coming to life on the other side of the Atlantic. Indeed, its Electronic Controls and Motor Systems Center of Excellence in Solihull, UK is conveniently situated just 90 minutes away from Hybrid Air Vehicles’ Bedford base. Marc Holme, Senior Director of Electronic Controls and Motor Systems at Collins Aerospace, stated:
“With a goal of becoming the world’s first zero-emission aircraft, Airlander 10 is blazing a trail in the development of sustainable electric propulsion systems. Collins is working closely with Hybrid Air Vehicles and the University of Nottingham to turn this goal into a reality, while at the same time developing new technologies that will advance the aviation industry’s efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Transitioning towards emissions-free flight
As alluded to by Holme, Hybrid Air Vehicles wants its Airlander 10 airship to become the world’s first zero-emissions aircraft. This will be a gradual transition, as four fuel-burning engines currently power the vessel. However, it will become a hybrid in 2026, when electric motors replace the forward pair.