MagniX, a pioneering company in electric aviation, has launched the next phase of the NASA electrified powertrain flight demonstration (EPFD) programme with the unveiling of a De Havilland DHC-7 (Dash 7) aircraft, which will be retrofitted with magniX’s state-of-the-art electric powertrains. The aircraft, revealed during a ceremony in Seattle, Washington, displayed the logos of magniX, NASA and Air Tindi, the provider of the Dash 7 aircraft. This unveiling represents a significant development in the EPFD programme, which has already achieved several key milestones in 2024.
Earlier this year, the programme successfully completed the preliminary design review (PDR) in February, solidifying the design for integrating magniX’s electric powertrains into the Dash 7. This was followed by the completion of the first phase of testing of the magni650 electric engine in April at NASA’s electric aircraft testbed (NEAT) facility in Sandusky, Ohio, which confirmed the engine’s exceptional performance at altitudes up to 27,500 feet. In June, baseline flight tests for the Dash 7 were concluded, providing crucial performance data before the aircraft is modified with magniX’s advanced electric technology.
Looking ahead, the next phase of the EPFD programme will involve replacing one of the Dash 7’s four turbine engines with a magniX electric powertrain, with test flights scheduled for 2026. In a subsequent stage, a second turbine engine will be replaced with another magniX powertrain, creating a hybrid configuration that is expected to reduce the aircraft’s fuel consumption by up to 40%.
Ben Loxton, Vice President of EPFD and Electric Storage Systems (ESS) at magniX, highlighted the significance of this progress, stating, “MagniX and NASA are demonstrating that sustainable flight can be realised with the technology available today. The EPFD program is accelerating its readiness for entry into service, with a focus on safety and maintaining the highest standards of performance.”
The partnership between magniX and NASA through the EPFD programme marks a pivotal moment in the push towards sustainable aviation. As the project moves forward, it is expected to play a critical role in reducing the environmental impact of air travel, while also setting new standards for the future of commercial flight.
