Completion of EcoPulse Aircraft Test Flights: Key Insights and Milestones for Our Roadmap

In view of the official press releases, the lessons learned from these flights are conclusive.

The results of EcoPulse test flights

This summer marked the end of the flight test campaign for the EcoPulse hybrid propulsion aircraft demonstrator, developed by Daher, Safran and Airbus. Indeed, as relayed by France 3, the three companies met in Tarbes (Hautes-Pyrénées). The aim was to take stock of the fifty test flights carried out by the aircraft.

According to a press release published by Safran, “this test campaign made it possible to test an unprecedented level of on-board electrical power for distributed electric propulsion” and made it possible to objectively assess the maturity and true level of performance of hybridization technologies.

Test flights which gave complete satisfaction

“We are particularly satisfied with the success of the EcoPulse program and its results”, underlined in the press release Eric Dalbiès, Director of Strategy, R&T and Innovation at Safran. “This is the first time that we have flight tested a complete hybrid-electric propulsion chain and these tests represented an important milestone for our technological roadmap”.

Airbus, Safran and Daher are working jointly on this project. Daher is responsible for system equipment, flight tests and safety analyses. Safran supplies the EcoPulse electric propulsion system. Finally, Airbus ensures the aerodynamic optimization of the demonstrator.

Decarbonize aviation and reduce noise pollution

It has now been five years since this project was revealed at the Paris Air Show in 2019. The goal of EcoPulse is to decarbonize aviation by reducing polluting emissions and noise pollution and to create new uses of air transport. To do this, the plane is, among other things, equipped with six electric thrusters, arranged along its wings.

Thanks to the test flights, it was possible to lay the foundations for a “safety certification method for aircraft with innovative configurations”, according to a press release. It allows the three manufacturers to affirm and display their commitment “in favor of sustainable aviation”.