Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    • Showcase 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    19th March 2025

    In this issue: March 2025

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this issue: March 2025

    19th March 2025
    contents and front cover of magazine

    In this issue: December / January 2025

    19th December 2024
    Showcase 2025

    In this issue – Showcase 2025

    6th November 2024
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
Electric & Hybrid Videos

VIDEO: Rolls-Royce’s Spirit of Innovation makes maiden flight

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson20th September 20212 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Rolls-Royce’s Spirit of Innovation electric aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight last week.

The aircraft is propelled by a 400kW (500+hp) all-electric powertrain with what Rolls-Royce claims is the most power-dense battery pack ever assembled for an aircraft.

Spirit of Innovation took off from the UK Ministry of Defence’s Boscombe Down site in the UK, and flew for around 15 minutes on September 15. The aircraft will now be flight tested so engineers can collect performance data on the aircraft’s electrical power and propulsion system.

Rolls-Royce plans to fly the Spirit of Innovation at speeds of more than 300mph (480km/h) during the world record attempt.

The Spirit of Innovation is being developed as part of the ACCEL program (Accelerating the Electrification of Flight) includes partners electric motor and controller manufacturer YASA and aviation start-up Electroflight. ACCEL is 50/50 funded by the UK Government and industry.

ACCEL is testing technology that Rolls-Royce intends to offer to the market in the form of a complete electric propulsion system for eVTOLs and commuter aircraft. According to the company the characteristics that many eVTOL air taxis require from batteries are similar to what is being developed for the Spirit of Innovation

Rolls-Royce and airframer Tecnam are currently working with Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market, which is planned to be ready for revenue service in 2026.


Related Stories

Rolls-Royce powers up electric aircraft ahead of world record attempt

Rolls-Royce backs batteries for aircraft with £80m investment

Rolls-Royce set to break world record for fastest electric aircraft

Rolls-Royce to supply propulsion system for Vertical Aerospace’s eVTOL

 

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticleCurtiss-Wright introduces mini modular mission computer
Next Article Collins flight tests enhanced vision system on Hercules military transport aircraft
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

News

US range opened to boost hypersonic and laser weapon testing

19th May 20252 Mins Read
Electric & Hybrid

FAA approves certification basis for Ampaire’s hybrid-electric propulsion system

15th May 20253 Mins Read
Electric & Hybrid

ZeroAvia and RVL Aviation to launch UK hydrogen-electric cargo flights

14th May 20253 Mins Read
Latest Posts

Industry Adoption of 3D Optical Surface Gauges

21st May 2025

NDT: Robotics and software spur innovation

21st May 2025

Wisk and NASA to partner on US autonomous flight operations and standards

20th May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe To Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.