Airbus, Daher, and Safran's EcoPulse demonstrator shows promise for hybrid-electric aviation
TARBES, France - On a chilly day in mid-December, key stakeholders gathered together at a Daher hangar in Tarbes, in southwest France, to bid adieu to the EcoPulse demonstrator during a livestream wrap-up.
A distributed hybrid-propulsion aircraft demonstrator, EcoPulse was designed and developed jointly by Airbus, Daher and Safran. Leaders from all three companies were on stage to share their perspectives on the program, including Airbus’ own Jean-Baptiste Manchette, Head of Propulsion of Tomorrow, Airbus writes. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
5 February 2025 - The EcoPulse demonstrator, a modified Daher TBM 900 turboprop, was designed to explore the benefits of distributed hybrid-electric propulsion and the integration of related technologies into future aircraft. This system distributes thrust across multiple small engines along the wings, which Airbus, Daher, and Safran believe could enhance performance, particularly by reducing cabin noise and improving energy efficiency.
Safran developed the hybrid-electric propulsion system, including six wing-mounted e-propellers. Airbus Defence and Space supplied an 800-volt, high-energy-density battery capable of delivering 350 kilowatts to power all six propellers. Airbus also designed the flight control system and managed the aerodynamic and acoustic integration of the propulsion system. Daher incorporated these modifications into the airframe and conducted flight and airworthiness testing.
The test campaign, running from November 2023 to July 2024, included 50 flights totaling about 100 hours. Various tests assessed the system's impact on aerodynamics, efficiency, and noise, yielding promising results. The findings could shape the future of hybrid-electric aircraft technology.
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Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
