Safran Helicopter Engines, a subsidiary of the Safran Group, has been chosen to supply new-generation Ardiden 3 engine turbines to drive the Zunum ZA10’s electric generator. Zunum Aero (Zunum) is a pioneering force in electric aviation. The new hybrid-to-electric Zunum ZA10 should be operational early in the 2020s and is a 12-seat 700-mile commercial aircraft which will offer exceptionally low operating costs while providing door-to-door travel times that will be two-to-four-times faster than today.
Zunum anticipates frequent and affordable air services from over 30,000 airports across the globe. Th current model currently under development is the ZA10 which will have a dual power source of propulsion batteries, and a Safran turboshaft from the 1,700 to 2,000 shaft horsepower (shp) Ardiden range. The Ardiden 3Z will be coupled with an electric generator, and the integrated turbo-generator will deliver 500kW of electric power to supplement the battery packs on key stages of flight and over long distances.
According to a Safran press release: The new aircraft will deliver breakthrough operating costs of 8 cents per available seat mile or $250 per hour for the aircraft, which is 60-80 percent lower than comparable conventional aircraft of comparable size. The ZA10 aircraft is designed to cruise and land on turbo-generator power alone, offering full redundancy.
Matt Knapp, co-founder and CTO of Zunum Aero: “Today marks a significant milestone on the path to delivery of the ZA10. Zunum ZA10 aircraft will bring breakthrough performance to regional aviation, paving the way to fast, electrified, affordable high-speed air services to communities everywhere.”
Florent Chauvancy, Safran Helicopter Engines EVP OEM Sales commented” “The Ardiden 3Z represents a very powerful complement to the ZA10 because of its exceptional performance, along with low operating and maintenance costs. This announcement marks a new step forward in demonstrating Safran ability to offer hybrid propulsive solutions for tomorrow’s mobility solutions.”
