Photo credit: www.nasa.gov
Aviation Week Honors NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed with Prestigious Laureate Award
Each year, the Aviation Week (AW) Network honors a select group of innovators making significant impacts in the aerospace sector through its esteemed Laureate Award. These individuals and organizations embody the principles and aspirations of the global aerospace community, influencing the future of travel and transportation.
On March 6, the NASA Glenn Research Center received an AW Laureate Award for its pioneering work in commercial aviation, specifically for its Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT). Located at the Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio, NEAT facilitates collaborative efforts among government entities, industry leaders, and academic institutions, enabling rigorous testing of advanced electric powertrains that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of aircraft.
The Electric Aircraft Testbed serves as a crucial platform for ground testing innovative systems before they progress to experimental flight testing. This capability allows researchers to identify and resolve issues that may only arise during flight, significantly enhancing safety and expediting the development process for new aircraft designs.
NEAT has achieved several notable milestones that underscore its role as a leader in electric aviation research:
Groundbreaking Achievements in Electric Propulsion
In 2022, NASA, in collaboration with GE Aerospace, successfully conducted the first ground tests of a high-power hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system, simulating altitude conditions.
A megawatt-class electric machine was evaluated at NEAT by a research team from The Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin as part of NASA’s University Leadership Initiative, demonstrating the testbed’s commitment to educational partnerships and innovation.
Additionally, under the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration initiative, magniX tested its powerful megawatt-class powertrain, aiming for an approximate 5% reduction in fuel consumption, showcasing the potential for efficiency gains in future commercial aircraft.
The systems tested at NEAT, involving contributions from companies like General Electric and magniX, are set to be integrated into modified passenger aircraft that are currently undergoing retrofitting for upcoming flight tests.
Source
www.nasa.gov