GKN and KTH Developing Fan Technology for Electric Aircraft

GKN Aerospace and KTH (the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology) are jointly developing fan technology for small regional electric aircraft.

Under the EleFanT project, as it has been called, GKN and KTH will study aerodynamic design, performance, noise and manufacturing technology for a nested fan powered by electricity, either from batteries, hydrogen fuel cells or even more conventional hybrid propulsion solutions.

The proposed propulsion solution with a nested fan instead of a conventional propeller offers significant advantages in three main areas: safety, noise level and engine installation.

By rapidly demonstrating fan technology for electric aviation, the EleFanT project hopes to accelerate the pace of electric aviation development and position the participants for international aero-engine and aircraft development projects.

Europe's aviation industry has set clear targets and adopted an ambitious roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Parallel development of different types of propulsion solutions for aircraft engines is one of the important steps to take.

"We are very positive about this initiative, which helps us to become part of the solution to aviation's climate challenge," said Henrik Runnemalm, Vice President GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre in Trollhättan, Sweden. "We will benefit greatly from GKN Aerospace and KTH's long experience in turbomachines, lightweight construction and advanced manufacturing technology. From an electrification and sustainability perspective the project is strongly aligned with our recently announced H2GEAR and H2JET programmes."

See also: Rolls-Royce's All-Electric Spirit of Innovation Aircraft Takes Off for First Time.

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