Swedish hybrid-electric aeroplane developer Heart Aerospace has revealed a design change to its regional hybrid-electric ES-30 as it enters a new development phase.
Originally, the ES-30 was designed to be driven by electric motors powered by batteries in the underside of the fuselage. It also included a reserve-hybrid configuration consisting of two turbo generators powered by sustainable aviation fuel.
Now, Heart Aerospace has changed tack and aims to demonstrate proof of concept of a new “independent hybrid propulsion system,” according to Anders Forslund, co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace.
The new design features a turboprop engine on the outer wing, and the removal of the fairing for the battery pack on the underside of the fuselage, instead moving it to the rear fuselage. It will also drop the strut-braced wing, depicted in the earlier prototype images.
Photo: Heart Aerospace
To support this development, Heart Aerospace has opened a new Research and Development hub in the United States, which comes as the company prepares to enter a new hardware testing phase of the ES-30. Heart Aerospace said the ES-30 will have a range of 200 km and an extended hybrid range of 400 km.
Benjamin Stabler has been appointed as Chief Technology Officer to lead the new hub, who previously served in roles at SpaceX and battery-electric freight rail developer Parallel Systems.
Forslund added: “The establishment of our US R&D hub signifies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in aviation.[…] We have an exciting time ahead of us as we enter a new phase of hardware testing, and I’m thrilled that Ben is joining our team. His experience and passion for innovation is just what Heart needs to advance on our mission to decarbonise and democratise air travel.”
Heart Aerospace has North America emerging as its primary market. However, the company remains headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. With 250 secured orders and purchase rights for another 120 planes, Heart Aerospace will aim to demonstrate electric flight in 2025 and is aiming for type certification of the ES-30 by 2028.
