MIT News breed · Wetenschap

MIT-born hybrid aircraft project secures $850 million for Ohio factory

A hybrid aircraft concept, originating as a project at MIT, is set to be manufactured in Ohio following an $850 million investment. The company, Electra, aims to produce a nine-passenger aircraft designed for shorter takeoffs and landings than traditional planes, with a range of approximately 1,200 miles.

Electra's fixed-wing aircraft features a more efficient engine combined with batteries for added power during takeoff and landing, enabling it to use shorter runways and operate more quietly than conventional aircraft. This design allows for potential use of locations like parking lots or soccer fields for takeoff and landing, rather than traditional airports.

Chris Courtin, Electra's Director of Technology Development, highlighted the aircraft's suitability for trips between 50 and 250 miles, offering a potentially better alternative to driving or commercial airlines by reducing friction in existing transport systems.

The company was founded by MIT alumnus John Langford and has strong ties to the university, with professors Mark Drela and John Hansman serving as technical advisors. Courtin himself was involved in the project from its early stages as a student and later as a teaching assistant and PhD candidate at MIT.

Electra has already developed and flown a two-seated version of its aircraft. The recent $850 million investment will fund the scaling of production for its nine-passenger model in Springfield and Clark County, Ohio, a move expected to create 1,975 jobs.

The concept originated in a 2017 MIT graduate class, where students explored alternatives to eVTOL aircraft, concluding that short takeoff and landing designs offered significant advantages. The idea was further developed through design classes and a PhD thesis, leading to the creation of a subscale model tested in MIT's wind tunnel.

The aircraft utilizes a gas-powered generator and batteries to power its propellers, with the generator sized for cruising efficiency. This system creates a blown lift effect, enabling the ultra-short takeoff and landing capabilities.

Beyond passenger transport, Electra is exploring applications in military logistics, cargo transport, and humanitarian missions, with the goal of making the aircraft accessible to a broad range of travelers as production scales up.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.