Airbus taps BAE to provide energy storage solution for hybrid aircraft
ENDICOTT, N.Y. - BAE Systems in Endicott, N.Y. has signed an agreement with European aerospace giant Airbus to develop and supply energy storage systems for a project demonstrating hybridization technologies in commercial aviation.
Under the agreement, BAE Systems will create, test, and deliver energy storage packs with a capacity of 200 kilowatt-hours for electric aircraft operating in the megawatt power range. These systems will support electric propulsion assistance during various flight phases with the aim of enhancing energy efficiency and performance. The energy storage solutions will undergo laboratory testing and integration as part of Airbus’ demonstration of hybrid technology.
"Our collaboration with Airbus will help future developments in air travel—advancing sustainable aviation with leading-edge energy management solutions," said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. "BAE Systems’ experience in flight-critical systems and vehicle electrification equips us to meet aerospace’s unique demands, allowing us to optimize performance, work towards more responsible aircraft operations, and address safe electric flight."
BAE Systems has invested in electrification and energy management technologies, leveraging its expertise in safety-critical systems to meet performance and certification standards for energy storage in aviation. The company’s designs incorporate safety measures, including fault tolerance and solutions for mitigating thermal runaway. These systems are also scalable and provide a pathway to higher energy density, with a roadmap to achieve 300 watt-hours per kilogram using standardized cells.
The company’s experience spans over 25 years of developing and integrating electric power and propulsion systems and more than four decades in flight-critical control systems for both military and commercial aircraft. Work on the energy storage systems will be conducted at BAE Systems’ advanced engineering and manufacturing facility in Endicott, New York.
