Wright Electric and Axter Aerospace, leading innovators in electric aircraft technology, are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the maiden flights of their hybrid-electric crop duster aircraft, boasting 800 kW of combined shaft horsepower. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in the companies’ commitment to revolutionizing the aviation industry and reducing its environmental footprint. Wright also announced that its industry-leading electric propulsion unit has achieved 1.2 megawatts (MW) of peak shaft horsepower and 1.1 MW continuous power output.

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Wright Flight Test (Photo: Business Wire)

The hybrid-electric crop duster aircraft is the result of a collaborative effort between Wright Electric and its Spanish partner, Axter Aerospace. As they work together to refine the hybrid-electric crop duster aircraft, they are setting a new standard for environmentally responsible aerial agricultural and skydiving operations.

Key Highlights of the Hybrid-Electric Crop Duster Aircraft:

- 800 kW of Shaft Horsepower: The aircraft features a powerful electric propulsion system with 800 kW of combined shaft horsepower between the turbine engine and electric motor, offering unprecedented performance in the crop dusting industry.

- Environmentally Friendly: By leveraging electric propulsion, this aircraft significantly reduces emissions, ensuring a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional crop dusters.

- Comprehensive Sub-Component Testing: The test aircraft will be used to evaluate and refine critical sub-components such as inverters, motors, and batteries, advancing the technology and reliability of electric aviation systems.

Key Highlights of the Electric Propulsion Unit:

- 2 MW Electric Propulsion Unit: Designed to decarbonize the regional jet and large turboprop sectors.

- 10 kW/kg Power Density: Industry leading compact size and light weight.

- Tested to 1.2 MW: Building on Wright’s announcement of achieving 1 MW at the Paris Air Show in June, now Wright has achieved 1.2 MW peak output and 1.1 MW continuous output.

Jeff Engler, CEO of Wright Electric, stated, "The successful maiden flight of our hybrid-electric crop duster aircraft marks a significant step forward in our mission to transform the aviation industry. We are excited about the possibilities that this technology presents and are grateful for our partnership with CT Axter Aerospace, which has been instrumental in making this project a reality."

Miguel Suarez, CEO of Axter Aerospace, added, "Our collaboration with Wright Electric signifies our commitment to pioneering environmentally responsible solutions in agricultural aviation. The hybrid-electric crop duster aircraft is a testament to our shared vision of creating cleaner, more sustainable alternatives for the future of agricultural operations. Together, we're redefining what's possible in the industry."

Jane Ashton, Director of Sustainability at easyJet, said, “Not only will this be a monumental move for the agricultural sector, but successes like these are important for the aviation industry as a whole as we continue our work to develop and deploy a suite of technology solutions to decarbonize.“

Wright Electric and Axter Aerospace are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the aviation sector. This achievement is a testament to their dedication to advancing electric aviation and meeting the evolving needs of the industry. It also underlines their joint commitment to creating cleaner and more sustainable solutions for agriculture.

For more information about Wright Electric and its innovative projects, please visit https://www.weflywright.com/ or reach out to Jill Gottlieb at jill.gottlieb@weflywright.com.

ABOUT WRIGHT: Wright Electric Inc. (Wright) is a U.S.-based company working to decarbonize the industries that are hardest to decarbonize. Wright focuses on three main areas: (1) propulsion systems for electric aircraft, (2) lightweight generators for industrial and defense applications, and (3) specialized energy storage solutions for the aerospace and defense industries. The company was founded in 2016 by a team of aerospace engineers, powertrain experts, and battery chemists. Wright works with airlines such as easyJet, and has development contracts with NASA, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E. Wright has been funded through Y Combinator, Evergreen Climate Innovations, venture funds, and family offices. Please visit Wright’s website at https://www.weflywright.com/.

About Axter Aerospace: Axter Aerospace is a European based company with proprietary technology of battery management systems and electric motor/generator controllers. Axter Aerospace provides power electronics and batteries solutions to Aerospace and Defense sectors. Axter Aerospace is an integral part of the CT family, a leading technological company that provides innovation and engineering services in the aeronautical, space, naval, automotive, rail, energy and industrial plants sectors. With over 35 years of experience, today CT’s success is driven by more than 1,800 talented employees based in nine countries, spanning three continents. https://www.axteraerospace.com.

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