Wright Electric has started ground-testing the electric propulsion system it is developing for aircraft in the 100-seat class. The company announced on April 25 that engineers have begun development work with its Wright Electric Aircraft Engine Test Cell (WEAETC) at its headquarters in Albany, New York.
The new test cell will evaluate the 2-megawatt Wright 1A motor with both a Lycoming LF507-F turbofan and a propeller from a C-130 military aircraft. In a second phase of ground testing, the company will start work on the 2.5MW WM2500 motor, featuring an integrated custom drive, that is being developed with backing from the U.S. government’s ARPA-E Ascend program.
Wright’s founder and CEO Jeffrey Engler told AIN that his team is focusing on the LF507 engine because this is the powerplant for the existing BAe 146 family of regional airliners that the company sees as suitable for conversion to electric propulsion. It also sees potential to electrify the widely-used C-130 military logistics aircraft.
The new test cell will evaluate the 2-megawatt Wright 1A motor with both a Lycoming LF507-F turbofan and a propeller from a C-130 military aircraft. In a second phase of ground testing, the company will start work on the 2.5MW WM2500 motor, featuring an integrated custom drive, that is being developed with backing from the U.S. government’s ARPA-E Ascend program.
Wright’s founder and CEO Jeffrey Engler told AIN that his team is focusing on the LF507 engine because this is the powerplant for the existing BAe 146 family of regional airliners that the company sees as suitable for conversion to electric propulsion. It also sees potential to electrify the widely-used C-130 military logistics aircraft.
