magniX achieves historic milestone with its electric propulsion unit during NASA test campaign
magniX has completed testing of its magni650 electric propulsion unit (EPU) at NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) in Sandusky, Ohio.
The magni650 successfully performed at an altitude of 30,000 feet at a maximum continuous power of 700 kilowatts (kw) – in what magniX says is an unprecedented achievement for an electric engine.
Announcing the news today (Tuesday), magniX said the breakthrough performance of its EPU under simulated flight conditions at altitude demonstrates its readiness for the flight test phase of NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project and moves it closer to the world’s first electric engine certification.
Ben Loxton, magniX VP of Technical Programs, said: “The NEAT test campaign has moved us closer to the world’s first certification of an electric powertrain for aviation.
“The work we are doing with NASA in the EPFD project will enable the electrification of regional commercial aviation in pure electric on short routes, and hybridization on longer routes – significant steps toward the decarbonization of aerospace.”
In the next stage of EPFD, one of the four turbine engines on magniX’s De Havilland Dash 7 test aircraft will be replaced with a magni650 electric powertrain, with test flights planned for 2026.
The final stage of the program will see a second turbine engine substituted with another magniX powertrain. This configuration is expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 40 per cent on a typical flight. Through the data collected, this will bring the electrification of large-scale commercial aircraft closer to entry-into-service by the end of the decade.
Accelerating The Takeoff of Electric Flight
With an unmatched record of powering first flights on five different aircraft, magniX is leading the advancement of electric aviation. Having launched its Samson batteries earlier in 2024, with unmatched energy density and cycle-life, magniX provides a full electric powertrain solution with a clear pathway to entry-into-service.
Headquartered in Everett, Washington State, U.S., magniX has developed industry-leading powertrains and batteries for the electrification of transportation.
magniX’s full electric powertrain offers an integrated system for electrifying aircraft. Its Samson batteries provide a safe, practical solution for battery electric and hybrid electric aircraft and are also ideally suited to power helicopters, eVTOL aircraft and marine craft.
