Submit Proposals: Flight Test Demonstration of Hybrid-Electric Propulsion for Regional Aircraft

Scope

• The present topic aims to develop and demonstrate in-flight the aircraft integration of an hybridelectric powertrain delivering a total power of about 2 to 3MW (per side), with an electrical propulsive power of up to 1MW (per side). The selection of the electrical power and hybridization ratio shall be compatible with the performance targets at aircraft level. This in-flight demonstration is a key enabler for the ultra-efficient regional aircraft concept.
• The project scope is therefore to design and integrate a hybrid-electric aircraft Flight Test Demonstrator, and perform the ground and flight test demonstrations at full scale, including:
  • The definition and selection of overall FTD architecture and configuration, capable to achieve the full-scale demonstration of the hybrid-electric powertrain and more electric on-board systems, and their aircraft integration, compatible with the performance targets detailed in next section, for a regional aircraft concept with 2 wing-mounted engines based on a parallel hybrid architecture. A regional aircraft platform with high wing configuration and 2 engines, including 1 side retrofitted as hybrid-electric is foreseen, to be confirmed by the ultra-efficient regional aircraft concept owner.
  • The definition and cascade of FTD requirements at aircraft, system, and sub-system levels, and the associated Validation & Verification plan and compliance matrix as needed to support the FTR and permit to fly.
  • The design, analysis, manufacture, assembly, testing and qualification of the modifications of the selected FTD platform, as required to accommodate the hybrid-electric powertrain and enable the permit to fly and flight tests execution:
    • Wing modifications and redesign of components, such as:
      • Structural and systems adaptations and interfaces with the new propulsion system including structural reinforcements, installation of the High Voltage network to supply the electric motor in close proximity to the fuel system, and adaptation of the fuel systems.
      • Aerodynamic impact analysis and integration of the nacelle and propeller with the wing, including interaction studies supported by adequate modelling and Wind-Tunnel Testing (WTT) as required to achieve permit to fly.
    • Fuselage modifications and redesign of components, such as:
      • Installation and structural integration of additional equipment and functionality related to hybrid-electric propulsion, covering electrical, thermal management, energy management, and battery systems, including the associated structural analysis and reinforcements, routing installation, equipment supports.
      • The identification of the best suitable design solution especially for batteries integration according to safety requirements, represent a specific challenge to be addressed by the project.
    • Empennage modifications: evaluation of potential impact on empennage and if necessary, adequate modification of components.
    • FTD platform systems and global layout modifications and adaptations as needed for the flight-tests, such as cockpit engine control and display, and any adaptation related to the presence of two different powertrains on each wing (being assumed that the hybrid-electric powertrain will be installed on one-side of the FTD platfoirm)
    • Specific attention should be given, and adequate safety precautions taken, related to the integration of novel technologies, such as High Voltage network (e.g. high altitude phenomena), battery packs (e.g. venting systems and fire protection to address thermal runaway), and additional thermal dissipations in proximity with the FTD platform structure and systems.
  • The assembly and integration of all technological bricks on FTD platform for the hybridelectric propulsion:
    • The hybrid-electric propulsive system and associated nacelle and pylon (including systems related to thermal/electric power management located within the nacelle)
    • The on-board systems (Electrical Power Generation and Distribution System, Thermal Management System, Energy Management solutions) and the battery system delivering the electrical power for hybrid-electric propulsion.
  • The Flight Test Instrumentation (FTI) and relevant aircraft modifications required for the permit to fly and the flight test execution, data acquisition and performance monitoring.
  • The preparation of the dossier for the safety of flight, including all needed analysis, testing and qualification evidences and documentation (e.g. weight and balance, flight manual,…) to achieve the permit to fly from relevant aviation national authorities and EASA.
  • The preparation and execution of ground and flight-testing demonstrations making use of the FTD platform.
  • The post-processing, analysis and assessment of testing campaigns results

Funding Information

• The maximum EU contribution for the topic is EUR 35 million.
• The maximum EU contribution per project funded under this topic is EUR 35 million.
• Indicative project duration: Maximum 60 months.

Expected Outcomes

• Project results are expected to demonstrate the aircraft integration of an hybrid-electric powertrain and more-electric on-board systems for the Ultra-Efficient Regional aircraft concept considered by Clean Aviation SRIA for Entry Into Service by 2035:
  • Encompassing the selection of an adequate Flight Test Demonstrator (FTD) platform, and aircraft integration of the hybrid-electric propulsive system, the associated nacelle & pylon, on-board systems, battery system, all needed adaptations of the airframe and auxiliary systems including avionics, for an hybrid-electric Flight-Test Demonstration based on battery electrical energy storage.
  • TRL4 shall be justified at project start for the considered technologies, based on synergies with activities from CA Phase 1, or funded by national/regional or other European programmes.
  • TRL6 shall be achieved for the aircraft-integration of the hybrid-electric powertrain by end of 2030, based on Flight FTD testing and relevant earlier ground testing and demonstrations needed to achieve Flight-Test Readiness (FTR) for a first flight by end of 2029.
  • The relevant FTD testing data shall be delivered to the topics HORIZON-JU-CLEAN-AVIATION2025-03-REG-01 and HORIZON-JU-CLEAN-AVIATION-2025-03-REG-02, to enable them to achieve TRL6 for their respective technologies, by the end of CA programme.
  • The aircraft-integrated hybrid-electric powertrain shall be compliant to CS-25 and CS-E certification requirements, achieving the Permit to Fly for the FTD within the project, with the objective to meet a Certification Readiness Level (CRL) 6 for the ultra-efficient Regional Aircraft concept by the end of CA programme. Acceptable deviations on the FTD demonstrator should be documented and justified.
• The project results are expected to directly contribute to the performance targets of the UltraEfficient Regional aircraft concept with EIS by 2035:
  • The aircraft-integrated hybrid-electric powertrain shall enable a 30% CO2 emissions reduction at aircraft level, including at least 20% from the hybrid-electric propulsion (including weight and aerodynamic integration effects of the propulsive system), compared to 2020 SoA aircraft.
  • 100% SAF compatibility shall be achieved, enabling 86% net CO2 reduction when combined with the 30% CO2 emissions reduction at aircraft level.
  • The evaluation, monitoring and reporting of key parameters needed to assess non-CO2 effects and noise emissions, shall ensure compliance with foreseen regulations and standards for a 2035 EIS.
  • Adequate KPIs at integrated system & key techno levels shall be defined to support the effective achievement of the expected outcomes and shall be aligned with the performance targets

Eligibility Criteria

• Entities eligible to participate:
  • Entities eligible to participate Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from nonassociated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call/topic.
  • A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality .
• Entities eligible for funding :
  • To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
    • the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
      • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
    • the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
      • Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
    • countries associated to Horizon Europe;
      • Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

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