XTI Aerospace provides TriFan fuel system design update

XTI Aerospace, Inc., a pioneer in VTOL and powered-lift aircraft solutions, today announced the successful update of its fuel system design, achieving a key 2025 first quarter product and engineering milestone announced in a prior press release. The updated fuel system design significantly increases the fuel volume in the wings from approximately 300 gallons to 400 gallons while minimizing unusable fuel in the system.

"The TriFan 600 continues to mature in its design, and in the case of the fuel system we expect to exceed our performance criteria target," said Dave Ambrose, VP of Engineering at XTI Aircraft. "We believe this latest fuel system design will significantly improve the maximum range and endurance of the vehicle."

"Our engineering team continues to innovate while remaining laser-focused on our customers' missions," said Scott Pomeroy, Chairman and CEO of XTI Aerospace. "We believe the new fuel system is designed to improve the range of the TriFan 600 aircraft and to exceed our previous design. We will be updating our publicly stated performance benchmarks in the coming weeks."

Figure 1 provides an overview of the TriFan 600 fuel system design.

In a previous market update, XTI outlined six core product and engineering milestones for Q1, listed below, beginning with the downwash/outwash study and leading up to the launch of the "Sparrow" subscale working model in early Q2.

Completed:

- Downwash / Outwash Study – Analyze airflows generated by the aircraft during vertical takeoff and landing to evaluate safety and performance

- Type Certification Application – Formally apply to the FAA for type certification of the TriFan 600

- Engine Air Inlets and Exhaust – Optimize air intake and exhaust design to enhance performance and efficiency of the propulsion system

- Fuel System Design – Optimize fuel system design to reduce unusable fuel and increase fuel capacity

To be Completed:

- Flight Deck Mockup Design – Develop a flight deck human factors mockup to design and evaluate and optimize ergonomics, pilot controls, and vision polar

- Global Finite Element Model (GFEM) of the latest configuration – Update the comprehensive structural model to evaluate and optimize the aircraft's strength and load paths under various loading conditions