EcoPulse, the distributed hybrid-electric propulsion aircraft demonstrator developed jointly by Daher, Safran and Airbus, has completed its first flight test campaign. This has yielded crucial insights to meet decarbonization goals for air transport by 2050.
On Tuesday (December 10, 2024), Airbus announced that EcoPulse, the distributed hybrid-electric propulsion aircraft demonstrator, has completed its first flight test campaign, delivering critical insights to help meet the air transport industry’s goal of decarbonization by 2050. Jointly developed by Airbus, Daher and Safran, the collaborative project has provided a unique experience in the design, certification, production, and operation of hybrid-electric aircraft.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Airbus’ Head of Propulsion of Tomorrow, Jean-Baptiste Manchette, said,
“This EcoPulse campaign allows us to advance certain hybrid-electric technologies, such as high-voltage batteries, and integrate them into future aircraft, helicopters, and air mobility solutions. With distributed electric propulsion, we achieved our goal of modeling flight physics and energy management at the aircraft level, key elements for shaping the next generation of aircraft.”
Also commenting on the successful flight testing for EcoPulse, Safran’s SVP – Strategy and Chief Technology Officer, Eric Dalbiès, said,
“We are particularly pleased with the success of the EcoPulse program and its results. This was the first time we tested a complete hybrid-electric propulsion system in flight, and these trials represented a significant milestone in our technology roadmap. The lessons learned enable us to continue validating decarbonization technologies.”
Daher’s Chief Technology Officer, Pascal Laguerre, added,
“EcoPulse has enabled Daher to take a crucial step forward in developing a low-carbon aircraft. This project not only helped us design an operational system for a demonstration prototype but also tackle critical technological hurdles. Thanks to this rich and unprecedented collaboration, we have made significant progress toward hybridization.”
On November 29, 2023, EcoPulse performed its first hybrid-electric test flight from Tarbes–Lourdes–Pyrénées Airport. Since that time, the aircraft has accumulated 100 flight hours over the course of around 50 test flights with the distributed hybrid propulsion system, the last of which took place in July 2024. These test flights demonstrated unprecedented onboard electric power levels for distributed electric propulsion, with a network voltage of approximately 800 volts DC and a power output of 350 kilowatts. The tests also showed that synchro-phasing is an additional benefit of the innovative flight control computer, primarily designed to maneuver the aircraft by adjusting the distribution of electric power among the ePropellers.
EcoPulse is a collaborative project supported by the French Civil Aeronautics Research Council (CORAC) and co-financed by the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) through France Relance and NextGeneration EU. Originally unveiled at the 2019 Paris Air Show, EcoPulse is based on a Daher TBM aircraft platform, and features six ePropellers, provided by Safran, distributed along its wings. The propulsion system integrates a turbogenerator, an electric generator driven by a gas turbine provided by Safran, and a high-voltage battery pack provided by Airbus. At the heart of the innovative architecture is a Power Distribution and Rectification Unit (PDRU), which protects the high voltage network and distributes power, along with a high -voltage supply harness (both provided by Safran). The Airbus-designed battery is rated for 800 volts DC and can deliver up to 350 kilowatts of power.
Source: Airbus