E-Fan X aircraft 3D graphic. Credit: Airbus S.A.S.

Airbus has partnered with Rolls-Royce and Siemens to develop the E-Fan X hybrid-electric flight demonstrator.

Development of the near-term demonstrator is expected to pave the way for hybrid-electric propulsion in commercial aircraft.

Set to debut in 2020, the E-Fan will feature hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries, developed by Airbus.

“We see hybrid-electric propulsion as a compelling technology for the future of aviation.”

Airbus will also look after the overall integration of flight control systems with the demonstrator under the new collaboration.

Rolls-Royce will provide the turbo-shaft engine, a 2MW generator and power electronics for the E-Fan demonstrator.

The company will also work with Airbus on the fan adaptation to the existing nacelle and the Siemens electric motor.

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Siemens will deliver the 2MW electric motors and their power electronic control unit, as well as the inverter, DC/DC converter and power distribution system.

The E-Fan demonstrator is set to undergo a comprehensive ground test campaign, provisionally on a BAe 146 flying testbed, with one of the aircraft’s four gas turbine engines replaced by a 2MW electric motor, before making its first flight.

Airbus chief technology officer Paul Eremenko said: “The E-Fan X is an important next step in our goal of making electric flight a reality in the foreseeable future.

“The lessons we learned from a long history of electric flight demonstrators, starting with the Cri-Cri, including the e-Genius, E-Star, and culminating most recently with the E-Fan 1.2, as well as the fruits of the E-Aircraft Systems House collaboration with Siemens, will pave the way to a hybrid single-aisle commercial aircraft that is safe, efficient, and cost-effective.

“We see hybrid-electric propulsion as a compelling technology for the future of aviation.”

With the latest partnership, the companies aim to meet the EU’s technical environmental goals of the European Commission’s Flightpath 2050 Vision for Aviation.