Electric vehicles are starting to grow in strength as manufacturers continue to introduce these models into their modern lineups. With all of the headway that there has been with these cars, trucks, SUVs, and even big rigs, you can bet that it won’t be long before we start seeing more of these solutions hit the streets.
The push for electric flying solutions is just as strong, and likely to become a common occurrence (when not including those with autonomous capabilities) in the near future. NASA has taken delivery on an all-electric experimental aircraft (X-plane), called X-52.
Designed by Empirical Systems Aerospace, the combustion engines have been removed and replaced by electric cruise motors. NASA will be conducting various benchmarks, starting with a number of ground tests. They will move to taxi and then flight tests as they progress.
At the moment, they are in what they call Mod II stage, where the plane is wingless due to things being limited to tests on the ground. However, as they progress and enter Mod III and Mod IV stages, the winds will be included and it will inch its way to proper flight testing. The idea is to help develop certification standards for emerging electric aircraft.
To learn more about the new plane, you can visit NASA’s website here.
