AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Highlights
- Rolls Royce successfully develops electric plane under the ACCEL programme.
- The company is planning to manufacture an all-electric passenger aircraft that is expected to be in service by 2026.
British luxury automobile maker Rolls-Royce (LON: RR) has announced that its all-electric aircraft, Spirit of Innovation, has effectively accomplished its first flight from the UK Ministry of Defence’s Boscombe Down site. The electric plane flew over the testing site for about 15 minutes. With a 400kW electric powertrain, the plane has the ability to generate over 500 hp power and lays claims of having a dense battery pack. This will apparently be a milestone for the aviation sector which is moving towards its decarbonisation goals.
Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce, said that it was a great accomplishment for the Accelerating the Electrification of Flight (ACCEL) team and for Rolls Royce. He added that the advanced battery and propulsion technology designed for this program can potentially lead the industry in the direction of a jet zero reality.
Key partners, who are a part of the ACCEL programme include the aviation start-up Electroflight, the electric motor and controller manufacturer, and YASA. The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Innovate UK are funding 50% of the project. Be it a commuter aircraft or an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), a complete electric propulsion system for the platform of the programme will be offered by the company.
Additionally, the company along with airframer Tecnam is currently working in collaboration with Widerøe, which is Scandinavia’s largest regional airline. Both will be working together to make an all-electric passenger aircraft, which is set to be in service by 2026.
ALSO READ: Stocks to watch on July 1: Dixons, Babcock, Saatchi, Shell, and Rolls Royce
Partnership with India
Rolls-Royce is pleased to announce its partnership with India to co-develop and manufacture engines for the fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme of the country, which is known as AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft). In an interaction, Kishore Jayaraman, president of Rolls-Royce India and South Asia, explained that the Intellectual Property rights for the all-electric engines will be owned by India and manufactured as part of the partnership.
Jayaraman added that this move will support India’s Make-in-India initiative for indigenous manufacturing and will help in developing an aerospace ecosystem. Rolls-Royce can potentially help in creating and manufacturing the right engine in partnership with the relevant agencies in India. Jaguar deep penetration aircraft, Hawk trainers and the C-130 J Super Hercules of the Indian Airforce are currently powered by the company.
Summing up
Focusing on decarbonisation through electrification of flights, Rolls-Royce can contribute towards the energy transition process in the UK as well as internationally. The company is also looking at hybrid engines for marine systems to power the Navy’s next generation of vessels. Hybrid propulsion is the future, and the company is working in that direction.
