Ground tests for the X-57 Maxwell, NASA’s all-electric experimental aircraft, are coming to an end as the aircraft prepares to take flight later this year.
The X-57 Maxwell is being used to test and determine the airworthiness of electrified aircraft technologies such as battery technology, electric motor capabilities, and distributed electric propulsion.
As the aircraft nears the end of its ground testing, it is being prepared for the installation of batteries.
The X-57 is intended to have zero in-flight emissions and is uniquely designed with a high aspect ratio wing.
“The X-57 project has made substantial contributions to the field of electric aircraft propulsion as an initial pathfinder building a knowledge base of expertise that is influencing industry standards and contributing to future electric vehicle demonstrations,” said Heather Maliska, X-57 project manager at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards California.
Maxwell is a modified Tecnam P2006T that NASA took delivery of in 2019. The aircraft was altered to feature electric power engines and batteries instead of a gasoline-powered engine.
NASA has been working on additional X-planes, including a remotely-piloted X-49 and the supersonic X-59, which is nearing its own first flight.
Another green flight project for NASA is its Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project, which will work with industry and academia to build and fly aircraft with hybrid-electric megawatt power trains to demonstrate the viability of the technology for commercial aircraft.
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