The new aircraft from Rolls-Royce to get a hybrid propulsion system

The first hybrid aircraft to be tested in 2021.

Rolls-Royce, the German company APUS Aero and specialists from the Brandenburg University of Technology are working on a joint project to create the first hybrid propulsion system.

The hybrid propulsion system is an excellent technological solution that combines fuel economy and high power-density technology, according to the developers. It enables to reduce carbon footprint without giving up completely hydrocarbon fuel and maintain a long flight range, which fully-electric models are not yet capable of.

The Rolls-Royce aircraft is based on the APUS i-5 aircraft design, which passed its first flight tests already in March 2019. M250 hybrid unit to be installed on board the aircraft features four electric engines and a generator placed in the aircraft rear. The developers have not yet disclosed the maximum speed, range and other characteristics. Full-scale testing of the aircraft is scheduled for 2021.