BAE Systems PLC (LSE:BA.) is stepping back into the world of passenger aircraft manufacturing via a partnership with a Swedish electric transport start-up.
The FTSE 100 listed aerospace and defence company has joined forces with Heart Aerospace, a Swedish electric airplane maker, in a collaboration to define the battery system for Heart’s ES-30 regional electric airplane.
The battery will be the first-of-its-kind to be integrated into an electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) regional aircraft, allowing it to efficiently operate with zero emissions and low noise.
“Our industry-leading solution builds on decades of expertise delivering technologies and systems needed to progress sustainable transportation,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “We are delighted to collaborate with Heart Aerospace on the innovative battery system for its electric airplane.”
Work on the programme will be conducted at BAE’s facility in Endicott, New York.
Sofia Graflund, COO at Heart Aerospace, said “We look forward to decarbonizing air travel together.”
The ES-30 airplane will be powered by four electric motors, and has an all-electric range of 200 kilometres, an extended reserve hybrid range of 400 kilometres with 30 passengers and ability to fly up to 800 kilometres with 25 passengers.
Heart Aerospace has a total of 230 orders and 100 options for the ES-30, along with letter of intent for an additional 108 airplanes.
BAE cancelled its civil aerospace programme in 2001 not long after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and quit the civil aircraft manufacturing market in 2006 when Mike Turner, then its chief executive, ordered the sale of BAE’s 20% stake in EADS, the forerunner to Airbus, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer.