Electric Power Systems (EPS) announces this week a contract award from Aura Aero to provide the battery system for the Integral E prototype and flight demonstrator. Aura Aero is bringing to market its two-seater Part 23 Integral aircraft series with the first variant soon to be certified using a traditional combustion engine. This certified airframe will be leveraged to develop all-electric and hybrid variants known as Integral E.
“Integral E prototype is a key step towards bringing to the market the first zero-emission training aircraft with aerobatic capabilities. The prototype will enable validation of its design and operational model. We have selected an EPS battery for such an important phase because of its maturity and installation flexibility.” said Mattia Padulo, Chief Technical Officer of AURA
AERO.
The Integral E prototype will incorporate EPS’ EPiC battery system to power ground testing and first flight. The EPiC battery technology addresses some of the most prevalent roadblocks to electric flight including DO-311A certification, cost reduction through automated manufacturing, weight reduction with high-temperature composites, and infrastructure with a DC fast-charging mobile microgrid. The EPiC battery modules deliver lightweight packaging factor at over 200 Wh/kg while providing optimum power in a compact design making them a great fit for the Integral requirements. Electric Power Systems is breaking ground on a new automated battery assembly line to scale up high volume production in March 2022. “When visiting the Aura Aero campus this summer, I was impressed to walk around the Integral aircraft and see how Aura Aero was using digital technology to lay out detailed wiring harness right on the screen with the digital schematic. Aura Aero has the technology and knowledge to make electric aviation possible,” Michael Duffy, Vice President of Product for Electric Power Systems.
Both company’s data-centric focus creates synergies and opportunities for immediate benefits to electric aviation. EPS’s EPiC Ecosystem with combined charging infrastructure and data center allows customers and operators to utilize the digital technologies and footprint to decrease operating costs and lower adoption barriers.
About Electric Power Systems
Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a leading provider of high-power, scalable powertrains that are certifiable for electrified aviation. It develops energy storage systems, DC fast-charging stations, and electric propulsion products for Aerospace Defense, Automotive, Marine, and Industrial Traction industries. EPS has numerous battery systems currently powering customer flight demonstrator vehicles (e.g., Diamond eDA40, NASA X-57, Embraer Sky Ipanema, Boeing Cargo Air Vehicle, Aurora Personal Air Vehicle, and many more). Advanced features produce safer battery systems resulting in a perfect safety record in the field. Boeing and Safran invested in EPS in 2019 and again in 2021 to enhance its research and development, energy storage, and electric propulsion capabilities. EPS’ current, publicly announced customers include Diamond, NASA, the FAA, Boeing, Safran, Bell Textron, and Embraer.
About Aura Aero
AURA AERO, the first digital and eco-efficient aeronautical manufacturer, industrializes disruptive technologies for the aviation of tomorrow, by combining the best of the aeronautical industry and digital technologies. The company designs and manufactures aircraft with unrivaled efficiency, on the growing market of eco-efficient and low-carbon emission vehicles. Founded in 2018, AURA AERO is based in Toulouse-Francazal and employs 100 people.