Rolls-Royce Completes Test Flight of Its First Electric Aircraft

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Global aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has successfully completed the first test flight of a purely electric-powered aircraft.

According to CNBC on the 16th (local time), Rolls-Royce stated in a press release that "its first electric aircraft successfully completed its first flight, lasting 15 minutes over the skies of the UK the previous day."

They added, "We plan to conduct intensive flight tests going forward to collect flight data and information on the electric power and propulsion systems."

Named 'Spirit of Innovation,' Rolls-Royce's electric aircraft is equipped with a 400 kW electric drive system. The company expects speeds exceeding 300 miles per hour (approximately 482 km/h).

Rolls-Royce said, "This is the result of the Flight Electrification Acceleration (ACCEL) program, which involved aviation startups Mercedes-Benz's YASA and Electroflight," and added, "We plan to apply ACCEL technology to short-distance city-to-city round-trip passenger aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles."

Rolls-Royce is also collaborating with Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam and Norwegian airline Widerøe to supply electric aircraft for the commuter market.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.