VerdeGo Aero to Announce VH-4T 400 kW Turbine Hybrid-Electric Powerplant
VerdeGo Aero is announcing its VH-4T turbine hybrid-electric powerplant at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow. This revolutionary 400 kW powerplant enables high performance electrified aircraft and drones to have the range, payload, and speed to deliver compelling mission capabilities. The 400 kW VH-4T joins the 185 kW VH-3 hybrid powerplant in VerdeGo’s portfolio of hybrid-electric solutions. As the number of electrified aircraft under development continues to grow, there is a significant need for powerplants that bring together the best aspects of liquid fuels and aircraft engines, with the best aspects of electrification. Applying a VerdeGo Aero hybrid-electric powerplant can enable arrays of electric propulsion motors to be used to create aircraft designs that are fundamentally more efficient, more manoeuvrable, and more reliable; while leveraging the high energy density of liquid fuels including Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).
A VerdeGo Aero hybrid-electric powerplant consists of an aircraft engine, generator, power electronics, thermal management systems, control systems, and all other subsystems required to create a new type of aircraft powerplant that can be applied in a wide array of applications. VerdeGo’s powerplants such as the VH -4T will follow the same certification pathway already underway for the VH-3 system, using FAA Part 33 plus special conditions developed for hybridization. Airframers using the VH-4T or VH-3 hybrid powerplants are benefitting from years of development and significant investment in VerdeGo’s proprietary approaches to delivering efficient, reliable hybrid systems.
“The VerdeGo VH-4T is a revolutionary building block for accelerating the electrification trend in aviation. Having a standard 400 kW powerplant available will enable aircraft and drones to be commercialized far more quickly to unlock the benefits of electrification through distributed electric propulsion motors, convertible aircraft designs that merge VTOL and CTOL capabilities, and power distribution systems that more easily move power around an airframe for use in multiple locations” said Eric Bartsch, CEO and Co-founder of VerdeGo Aero.
The VH-4T provides 415 kW of electrical power at a nominal 800 volts DC and weighs about 565 pounds. “We are finding that the VH-4T’s 400 kW power level is a good match for a large percentage of the overall electric aircraft market,” said David Eichstedt, VP of Product Management. “400 kW is a good fit for 5-7 person air taxis, eCTOL or eSTOL aircraft that carry up to 9 passengers, or cargo drones that carry greater than 1000 pounds of payload. The power density makes it a good fit for electric aircraft, both military and commercial applications, that are focused on high performance.”
Applications of the VH-4T range from hybridized eVTOL aircraft, to long-range cargo drones, to highly- efficient fixed-wing aircraft using DEP. VerdeGo has developed significant capabilities to assist its customers with integrating VerdeGo hybrid powerplants in a wide array of aircraft types and missions.
Information about the VH-4T will be available at the VerdeGo Aero chalet, number D020, at the Farnborough International Airshow from July 22 to 26. A VH-4T prototype will be on display in the AFWERX booth at the Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture show in Oshkosh, booth 439, from July 22 to 28.
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