Rolls-Royce successfully completes test flight of its first fully electric aircraft (video)

Published:

17 September 2021 23:25 GMT

The light aircraft Spirit of Innovation was in the air for about 15 minutes.

Rolls-Royce has successfully completed the initial test flight of its first fully electric aircraft, the Spirit of Innovation. Report The British company issued a statement this Friday.

The plane took off from the UK Defense Ministry’s checkpoint in Amesbury, England. Plane Stayed in the air for about 15 minutesAt that time valuable data on its performance, power and powertrains may be collected for future improvements.

In the pictures released by the company, you can see the single engine plane running slowly up the runway. After making a few turns in the air, he landed without problems.

The power of the Spirit of Innovation electric motor is 400 kilowatts (540 horsepower), which allows the aircraft to reach speeds of up to approx. At 482 kilometers. Earlier, the company said it wanted to build an electric aircraft Fast Of the world.

In addition, the engine is powered by “the most powerful battery pack ever assembled for an aircraft”. Its design is aimed at achieving maximum energy efficiency and marks a milestone in the transformation of the aviation sector towards decarbonisation.

The Spirit of Innovation is expected to be used as an air taxi in the future, although Rolls-Royce uses its technology to use the electric propulsion system for a large passenger aircraft. “We focus on making the technological advances that the community needs To decarbonize traffic By air, land and sea, ”said Warren East, CEO of the company.