Collins Aerospace has produced the first working prototype of its 500 kilowatt electric motor suitable for the Airlander 10 aircraft under a partnership with Hybrid Air Vehicles and the University of Nottingham. Collins has begun basic characterisation testing of the motor at the University of Nottingham.
For the 2,000 RPM permanent magnet electric motor, Collins is targetting specific power density levels of 9 kilowatts per kilogram and 98% efficiency through the use of a novel motor topology and composite construction. Collins is designing the motor at its Electronic Controls and Motor Systems centre of Excellence in Solihull, UK, where it’s also developing its 1 megawatt electric motor and motor controller for the Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator.
