BAE Systems and Heart Aerospace announced that they would collaborate to develop an electric battery for Heart Aerospace’s ES-30 regional electric aircraft.
The two companies announced their partnership on March 30, 2023, stating that 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”. Leveraging more than 25 years of BAE Systems’ experience in the electrification of heavy-duty industrial vehicles, the work will be done at the company’s facilities at Endicott, New York, United States (US).
“Our industry-leading solution builds on decades of expertise delivering technologies and systems needed to progress sustainable transportation,” stated Ehtisham Siddiqui, the 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.”
Sofia Graflund, the Chief Operating Officer at Heart Aerospace, said that BAE Systems’ prior experience in various electrification projects, as well as control systems in aerospace, made it “an ideal” partner for the Swedish company.
“We look forward to decarbonizing air travel together,” Graflund added.
The Sweden-based Heart Aerospace is developing the ES-30, a regional electric aircraft capable of flying up to 200 kilometers (124.2 miles), while also having an extended reserve hybrid range of 400 km (248.5 mi) with 30 passengers. If the aircraft is carrying 25 travelers, the range goes up to 800 km (497 mi), according to the company.
In total, Heart Aerospace currently has 230 firm orders, 100 options, and has a Letter of Intent (LoI) for 108 ES-30s. The manufacturer unveiled the ES-30 in September 2022, also welcoming Swedish-based military aerospace manufacturer Saab and Air Canada as shareholders with both companies investing $5 million each into Heart Aerospace. The Canadian carrier also ordered 30 ES-30s.
“The ES-30 is an electric airplane that the industry can actually use. We have designed a cost efficient airplane that allows airlines to deliver good service on a wide range of routes,” founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Heart Aerospace, Anders Forslund said at the time.
