Hanwha Systems' air taxi electric propulsion system to begin first tests

The domestic development of urban air transportation (UAM), which was once only a distant future, is closer, one step at a time.

Hanwha Systems CEO Kim Yeon-cheol announced on the 28th that it will be able to test the electric propulsion system, which is the key to commercialisation of air taxis, within the first half of the year. The development of the propulsion system is nearing completion.

This test is conducted in collaboration with Overair in the United States. Hanwha Systems acquired a stake in Overair last year. The electric propulsion system does two things: the aircraft takes off vertically, and after it floats, the aircraft moves forward. No runway is required, and take-off and landing space can be minimised.

The weight of the aircraft is reduced as one is in charge of the two propellants that float and move forward. As it becomes lighter, the flight distance increases. It is a key function for realising commercial operation of air taxis.

The electric propulsion system, whose development is currently in the final stage, is powered by 100% electricity. Pollutants such as carbon are not emitted. Overair's low-noise patented technology, OSTR (Optimum Speed Tilt Rotor), lowered the noise by more than 15db compared to helicopters.

Hanwha Systems and Overair are also producing the eVTOL air-taxi, 'Butterfly' whose maximum speed is 320 km/h.

Kim Seok-gyun, head of the UAM division of Hanwha Systems, said, "If this development is finally successful, we will be able to advance one step faster than the world's 10 competing companies in the UAM market." In that case, it is expected that the goal of developing the aircraft by 2024 and pilot operation in 2025 will be approached.