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Climate neutrality in the flying laboratory: machine with electric motor is being developed at DLR

2021-11-27T17:05:20.525Z


Flying without harming the climate: a research project at the German Aerospace Center should make it possible - to be precise, an efficient electric drive in a converted Dornier machine. The researchers are aiming for the first test in the air in the middle of the decade.


Flying without harming the climate: a research project at the German Aerospace Center should make it possible - to be precise, an efficient electric drive in a converted Dornier machine.

The researchers are aiming for the first test in the air in the middle of the decade.

Oberpfaffenhofen -

The Do 228 does not yet have an electric motor - it is still unique: The rear of the overhauled fan gun catches the eye, painted orange-green-blue. And it says in capital letters: “Electric Flight Demonstrator.” These days, the aviation company General Atomics AeroTec Systems delivered the aircraft to the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The way was short, the project partners both have a seat in Oberpfaffenhofen. Their project: to replace one of the two conventional drive trains of the Do 228 with an electric one powered by 600 kilowatts and liquid hydrogen.

MTU Aero Engines, Germany’s leading engine manufacturer from Munich, according to the latest press release, is also involved.

Barnaby Law, chief engineer at MTU, is quoted as saying: “A liquid hydrogen and fuel cell system can power the aircraft of the future and, with the exception of water, cause no emissions.

And that is exactly our goal: zero emissions. ”Another advantage: The efficiency of fuel cells is high.

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General Atomics Managing Director Erik Bollen (left) presented the symbolic key to Dr.

Burkard Wigger, head of the DLR facility for flight experiments.

© General Atomics

First of all, individual system components are to be tested in the research aircraft. That still happens on the ground. Only when the machine has been completely modified should it take off. The researchers are aiming for the first flight in the middle of the decade. Because the conversion is complex. The so-called turboprop engine on the left is removed and replaced by the electric motor. The fuel cells are housed in the fuselage of the aircraft. There is also a tank there that provides the hydrogen required to operate the cells. The latter are emission-free (except for water), but generate a lot of heat. That is why developing an efficient cooling system is critical.

"The new research aircraft makes it possible to test a wide variety of components and entire drive systems in detail under real operating conditions," enthused the companies in the joint announcement.

A total of around 180 experts will be involved in the "Flying Laboratory" project.

Around 180 experts are involved in the "Flying Laboratory" project

The procurement of the machine, the full name of which is "Do 228 D-CEFD", is subsidized by the Bavarian Ministry of Economics, Regional Development and Energy on a pro-rata basis. The planned research work is financed by funding projects in the aviation research program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and also by grants from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs. But that's not enough: "Further funding applications have been applied for and are being processed," says the communication.

The flying laboratory should "make a contribution to environmental protection and counteract the climate crisis".

Harald Robl, Managing Director of General Atomics AeroTec Systems, has seen the Do 228 in this service for a long time.

He reports: "Our aircraft is already in use worldwide to protect countries from pollution of their coasts by means of precise reconnaissance and surveillance technology."

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-11-27

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