EcoPulse hybrid electric propulsion aircraft demonstrator developed jointly by Daher, Safran and Airbus has concluded its flight test campaign delivering crucial insights to meet the decarbonization goals for air transport by 2050. This collaborative project has provided unique experience in the design, certification, production, and operation of hybrid electric aircraft.
source.image: Global Update
EcoPulse was a distributed hybrid-propulsion demonstrator aircraft developed in partnership with Daher and Safran. EcoPulse focused on evaluating the benefits of distributed propulsion and its possible integration on future aircraft.
Distributed propulsion systems work by breaking down thrust generation between multiple small engines distributed along the wingspan. By minimising the power of each propulsor and, as a result, their mass, distributed propulsion could unlock a range of possibilities for improved aircraft performance.
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EcoPulse was based on a modified Daher TBM 900 turboprop aircraft. The standard engine and propeller systems were augmented by six wing-mounted e-propellers, each of which was driven by a 50-kW Safran ENGINeUSTM electric engine powered by batteries or a 100-kW auxiliary power unit.
