Collins Aerospace produces first electric motor prototype for Airlander 10

Collins Aerospace (Charlotte, N.C., U.S.) has produced the first working prototype of its 500-kilowatt electric motor suitable for the composites-intensive Airlander 10 aircraft under a partnership with Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV, Bedford, U.K.) and the University of Nottingham (U.K.). Collins has begun basic characterization testing of the motor at the university.

For the 2,000 rpm permanent magnet electric motor, Collins is targeting specific power density levels of nine kilowatts per kilogram and 98% efficiency through the use of a novel motor topology and composite construction. Collins is designing the motor at its Electronic Controls and Motor Systems Center of Excellence in Solihull, U.K., where it’s also developing its one-megawatt electric motor and motor controller for the Pratt & Whitney (East Hartford, Conn., U.S.) Canada (P&WC) regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator. The two motors are part of Collins’ technology roadmap for the development of a family of electric motors that can be scaled up or down to meet the needs of various hybrid-electric and all-electric applications across multiple aircraft segments.

Airlander 10 is scheduled to begin hybrid-electric operation in 2026, followed by all-electric, zero-emission operation in 2030. To achieve this, the aircraft’s four fuel-burning engines will be replaced by Collins’ 500-kilowatt electric motors — beginning with the two forward engines in 2026 and the two rear engines in 2030.

“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,” Marc Holme, senior director, Electronic Controls and Motor Systems for Collins Aerospace, says. “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.”

E-HAV1 is co-funded by the ATI Program, a joint UK Government and industry investment to maintain and grow the U.K.’s competitive position in civil aerospace design and manufacture. It is delivered through a partnership between the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI, Cranfield, U.K.), Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Innovate UK to address technology, capability and supply chain challenges.