VerdeGo Aero and Röder Präzision GmbH announce SR-305-VDG aircraft engine optimised for hybrid-electric applications

As aviation electrification is applied to new missions and aircraft types, it is necessary to have energy options for supporting missions that are not feasible with battery energy storage alone. VerdeGo Aero, a leader in hybrid-electric powerplant systems, has been developing the VH-3 powerplant as an extremely efficient option for providing large amounts of propulsive electric power, converting liquid fuels (Jet-A, JP-8, SAF, e-fuels) into electricity. VerdeGo’s hybrid electric powerplants are an optimided system that includes an aircraft engine, motor/generator, power electronics, control systems, and thermal management systems that are tightly integrated

together for maximum efficiency.

During the development of the VerdeGo VH-3 powerplant, VerdeGo and the SMA Aero Engines, a 100% daughter company of Röder Präzision GmbH, have collaborated to develop a new version of the SMA SR-305 diesel-cycle high-efficiency aircraft engine, optimized for use in a hybrid-electric application. Both companies are pleased to announce the creation of the SMA SR-305-VDG engine that is the result of more than two years of testing and engineering development. This engine embodies numerous changes that result in a higher power output, reduced hybrid powerplant weight, and smaller system volume. The SR-305-VDG is exclusively produced for VerdeGo Aero’s hybrid-electric applications.

“Creating an optimal hybrid powerplant requires careful alignment of all of the major components to ensure they function efficiently and reliably together. Collaboration with SMA has enabled VerdeGo to increase the performance of the VH-3-185 hybrid powerplant while reducing weight and size of the system. Combining the engineering capabilities at both companies has been critical for delivering a hybrid powerplant that addresses the needs of VerdeGo’s customers who are creating some of the highest-performance electric aircraft in the world” said Eric Bartsch, CEO of VerdeGo Aero.

“We are very happy to have found a partner in VerdeGo who has recognized the potential of the engine for hybrid applications. We are very confident that this new version of the engine will form the powertrain for several new electric aircraft that require an energy density currently unattainable with battery technology. We also see great market potential with regards to the possibility of using sustainable aviation fuels and supporting lower carbon emissions in the aviation” said Jörg Erdmann,

COO of Röder Präzision GmbH.

VerdeGo Aero’s VH-3 hybrid powerplant containing the SR-305-VDG engine will be on display at AirVenture 2023 in the USAF AFWERX booth where it is featured as a program that has been supported by AFWERX to enable high performance electric aircraft for a wide array of missions.