Wright First Flight and 1.2 MW Electric Propulsion Test
We are excited to announce the successful completion of the maiden flights of our hybrid-electric crop duster aircraft alongside partner Axter Aerospace! Boasting 800 kW of combined shaft horsepower, this remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in Wright's commitment to revolutionize the aviation industry and reduce its environmental footprint. Please see coverage in Aviation Week and FlightGlobal.
Also, building on our announcement from June about our megawatt (MW) class propulsion unit (EPU), we are proud to confirm that our EPU has reached 1.2 megawatts (MW) of peak shaft horsepower and continuous power output of 1.1 MW.
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First Flight
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Here are details about the flight test:
- 800 kW of Shaft Horsepower: The aircraft features a powerful electric propulsion system with 800 kW of combined shaft horsepower between the turbine engine and electric motor, offering unprecedented performance in the crop dusting industry.
- Environmentally Friendly: By leveraging electric propulsion, this aircraft significantly reduces emissions, ensuring a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional crop dusters.
- Comprehensive Sub-Component Testing: The test aircraft will be used to evaluate and refine critical sub-components such as inverters, motors, and batteries, advancing the technology and reliability of electric aviation systems. Wright recently launched an ultra-lightweight battery development program, and this aircraft will be useful for tests of these batteries.
And here are details about the EPU:
- 2 MW Electric Propulsion Unit: Designed to decarbonize the regional jet and large turboprop sectors.
- 10 kW/kg Power Density: Industry leading compact size and light weight.
- Tested to 1.2 MW: Building on Wright’s announcement of achieving 1 MW at the Paris Air Show in June, now Wright has achieved 1.2 MW peak output and 1.1 MW continuous output.
We are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the aviation sector. This achievement is a testament to the team's dedication to advancing electric aviation and meeting the evolving needs of the industry.
Please reach out to Jill Gottlieb at jill.gottlieb@weflywright.com if you would like to learn about applying this industry-leading equipment to your aerospace, maritime, or ground application.
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Wright's goal is to reduce the climate impact of the aerospace industry.
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Electric planes have the potential to reduce the carbon and noise footprint of the aerospace industry. Image source: https://stay-grounded.org/get-information/.
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Wright is supported by DOE, NASA, and DOD.
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Wright is looking for Battery and
Power Electronics experts to join the team!
Wright is hiring Battery and Power Electronics engineers at our headquarters in Albany, NY. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please feel free to reply to this email. You can visit our careers page for more information: https://www.weflywright.com/careers.
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Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Electrically,
Jeff and Team Wright
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