Donauwörth – Airbus has introduced its full electrical CityAirbus NextGen prototype to the general public, forward of its maiden flight later this yr. The 2-tonne class CityAirbus, with a wing span of roughly 12 metres, is being developed to fly with a 80 km vary and to achieve a cruise pace of 120 km/h, making it completely suited to operations in main cities for quite a lot of missions.
The disclosing coincided with the opening of the brand new CityAirbus check centre in Donauwörth, which will likely be devoted to testing programs for electrical vertical takeoff and touchdown autos (eVTOLs). The centre, which is a part of Airbus’ ongoing and long-term funding in Superior Air Mobility (AAM), started its operations with the CityAirbus NextGen’s power-on in December 2023 and it will likely be now used for the remaining assessments required earlier than the prototype’s maiden flight later within the yr. These assessments cowl the electrical motors with their eight rotors in addition to the plane’s different programs equivalent to flight controls and avionics.
“Rolling out CityAirbus NextGen for the very first time is a vital and really actual step that we’re taking in direction of superior air mobility and our future product and market. Thanks to our neighborhood, workforce and companions everywhere in the world for serving to us make this a actuality,” mentioned Balkiz Sarihan, Head of City Air Mobility at Airbus.
On the identical time, Airbus is increasing its international community and partnerships to create a novel ecosystem that may foster a profitable and viable AAM market. Airbus just lately signed a partnership settlement with LCI, a number one aviation firm, to give attention to the event of partnership situations and enterprise fashions in three core AAM areas: technique, commercialisation and financing.
