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Heart Aerospace advances ES-30 hybrid airliner with new independent configuration

Heart Aerospace advances ES-30 hybrid airliner with new independent configuration
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Heart Aerospace, a Swedish company, is set to unveil a technology demonstrator for its ES-30 hybrid-electric regional airliner this fall. The company has modified the propulsion system architecture of the 30-seater aircraft to an independent hybrid configuration, which it claims will enable more missions to be conducted in all-electric mode.

The new design features two unspecified turboprop engines located on the outboard section of the wing and two electric motors inboard. This marks a departure from the earlier series hybrid configuration with a turbogenerator. Other changes include relocating the battery bay from the lower fuselage and removing winglets and strut-braced wings.

Despite these extensive engineering modifications, Heart's president and chief commercial officer Simon Newitt told AIN that they are still targeting initial EASA type certification by 2028. This timeline was established in 2022 when Heart shifted focus from its all-electric ES-19 model due to airline customer feedback favoring greater range and payload capacity offered by the 19-seater.

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In May, Heart opened a research and development facility in California to aid in completing the ES-30's design and planning ground and flight testing. Testing hardware for the demonstrator is at an advanced stage as part of a research project supported by Swedavia and SAS.

Benjamin Stabler has been appointed as Heart's new chief technology officer. He previously worked on SpaceX's Crew Dragon program and co-founded Parallel Systems, known for developing battery-electric freight trains.

Newitt stated that this hybrid propulsion setup allows airlines to conduct all-electric missions without using turboprops. "The turboprop [propellers] could be feathered so that they can take off using just the inboard motors," he said, explaining potential range extensions up to 800 kilometers when needed.

Heart Aerospace reports around 250 firm orders or purchase agreements for the ES-30 with additional options covering another 200 aircraft. An advisory board meeting held on July 3 included representatives from United Airlines, Mesa, SAS, Braathens, Air New Zealand, Republic Airways Holdings Inc., Icelandair Group hf., and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines NV.

Additionally, Heart has launched a collaboration with Gotland Island aiming for net zero carbon flights connecting it with mainland Europe. Earlier this year, Heart closed a Series B funding round raising $107 million. They plan further fundraising through equity issues, debt instruments, strategic investments alongside seeking public support while urging stronger political commitments towards green aviation investment.

"This is fundamental; we hear a lot of talk but we need action," concluded Newitt emphasizing government support cruciality towards achieving net-zero targets beyond sustainable aviation fuel efforts mainly suited longer-haul flights involving larger planes.

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