NASA electrified aircraft propulsion efforts
Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
ISSN: 0002-2667
Article publication date: 10 December 2019
Issue publication date: 22 May 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review national aeronautics and space administration (NASA’s) broad investments in electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP). NASA investments are guided by an assessment of potential market impacts, technical key performance parameters, and technology readiness attained through a combination of studies, enabling fundamental research and flight research.
Design/methodology/approach
The impact of EAP varies by market and NASA is considering three markets as follows: national/international, on-demand mobility and short-haul regional air transport. Technical advances in key areas have been made that indicate EAP is a viable technology. Flight research is underway to demonstrate integrated solutions and inform standards and certification processes.
Findings
A key finding is that sufficient technical advances in key areas have been made, which indicate EAP is a viable technology for aircraft. Significant progress has been made to reduce EAP adoption barriers and further work is needed to transition the technology to a commercial product and improve the technology, so it is applicable to large transonic aircraft.
Practical implications
Significant progress has been made to reduce EAP adoption barriers and further work is needed to transition the technology to a commercial product and improve the technology, so it is applicable to large transonic aircraft.
Originality/value
This paper will review the activities of the hybrid gas-electric subproject of the Advanced Air Transport Technology Project, the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology Project and the X-57 Flight Demonstration Project, and discuss the potential EAP benefits for commercial and military applications. This paper focuses on the vehicle-related activities, however, there are related NASA activities in air space management and vehicle autonomy activities, as well as a breakthrough technology project called the Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Project. The target audience is people interested in EAP.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The activities in this paper are sponsored by the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate under the Advanced Air Vehicles Program and the Integrated Aviation Systems Program.
Citation
Jansen, R.H., Bowman, C.L., Clarke, S., Avanesian, D., Dempsey, P.J. and Dyson, R.W. (2020), "NASA electrified aircraft propulsion efforts", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 92 No. 5, pp. 667-673. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-05-2019-0098
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited