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NASA selects EPFD partners as it aims for 2035
Thursday, 7 October 2021
NASA has chosen GE Aviation and MagniX as partners to support its electric powertrain flight demonstration. Each company will be awarded a share of $253.4 million for the work over the next five years.

NASA has selected two U.S. companies to support its electric powertrain flight demonstration that will rapidly mature electrified aircraft propulsion technologies through ground and flight demonstrations.

Through the electric powertrain flight demonstration (EPFD) program, NASA seeks to introduce electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) technologies to U.S. aviation fleets no later than 2035, supporting short range and regional commercial air travel, as well as single aisle seat transports.

The awards under the EPFD project announcement are hybrid firm fixed price/cost share. The total combined value for the awards is $253.4 million and the work will be conducted over the next five years. The companies that received awards and their award values are GE Aviation of Cincinnati, $179 million; and MagniX USA Inc of Redmond, Washington, $74.3million.

The EPFD project is a part of NASA's integrated aviation systems program (IASP) which conducts flight oriented, system level research and technology development to mature and transition advanced aeronautic technologies into future air vehicles and operational systems. IASP focuses on the execution of highly complex flight tests and related experiments to support all phases of NASA's aeronautics research.

"By taking these concepts to flight, NASA and its partners will accelerate the transition of EAP technologies into commercial products and be a catalyst for economic growth," says Robert Pearce, associate administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "We expect to realise significant improvements in the economic and environmental performance of subsonic transports through incorporation of these novel alternative propulsion and energy technologies into the fleet."

Over five years, the selected companies will conduct ground and flight test demonstrations of their EAP technologies applicable to commercial aircraft transports. They will collaborate with other NASA projects on EAP development, flight test instrumentation, and data analysis. And they will stimulate spiral developments of megawatt-class EAP systems and technology.

“GE Aviation and MagniX will perform integrated megawatt class powertrain system ground and flight demonstrations to validate their concepts, and project benefits for future EAP aircraft configurations,” says Gaudy Bezos-O'Connor, EPFD project manager at NASA's Langley Research Center in Virginia. “These demonstrations will identify and retire technical barriers and integration risks. It will also help inform the development of standards and regulations for future EAP systems.”

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NASA Langley Research Center Research/Consulting Services, Testing Services, Wind Tunnels
GE Aircraft Engines Turbofan Engines, Turbojet Engines, Turboprop Engines, Turboshaft Engines
magniX Electric Engines, Electric Motors, Fuel Cells
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Electrical Power Systems