Electrified Aircraft Propulsion
NASA’s Glenn Research Center leads innovation and development of new aviation technologies to enable the next generation of more efficient commercial air transportation.
Why Electrify
How it works
The future of flight
Electrified Flight 101
A Beginner's Guide to Sustainable Aviation
Looking for a quick introduction into the world of electrified aircraft propulsion? Here’s what you need to know about the research, why it’s important, and how it could impact your life.
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Turning Science Fiction Into Reality
NASA’s innovative systems, components, and tools are bringing us a step closer to a future of more efficient, electrified flight.
How can we use electricity to power large-scale commercial aircraft? What kinds of technologies will help us reduce fuel consumption during flight? From high-efficiency electric motors to lightweight materials and revolutionary superconducting technologies, NASA’s electrified aircraft propulsion developments are helping answer some of the toughest questions when it comes to aviation electrification. Learn more about the powertrain components, materials, and energy efficient technologies powering a new era of flight.
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Reimagining the Vehicles of Tomorrow
Full-scale aircraft concepts with electrified propulsion help demonstrate technology requirements and performance benefits for various system configurations.
When it comes to electrifying aviation, there is no single path. Researchers at NASA are exploring different airframe designs, propulsion system configurations, and varying levels of electrification for the next generation of commercial aircraft. Ranging from hybrid electric systems to various turboelectric configurations, each concept offers unique design opportunities for improving performance and efficiency. Learn more about each concept, the challenges they seek to address, and the potential benefits they unlock.
Read MoreLaying the Groundwork for Electrified Flight
NASA Glenn Research Center’s world-class facilities enable advanced ground testing of electrified aircraft propulsion technologies.
Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, these test sites support a variety of system- and component-level analysis ranging from superconducting materials and structural development to full-scale powertrain testing under simulated flight altitude conditions. Each laboratory and test cell serves as a unique environment for designing, building, and testing flight hardware at various maturity levels with low cost and minimal risk. Learn more about these test capabilities and how external collaborations provide opportunities for NASA researchers to work with U.S. industry, academia, and other government agencies to accelerate development and certification of electrified aircraft propulsion technologies.
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In the Pilot's Seat
Discover what it's like working at the forefront of aviation innovation from members of the SUbsonic Single Aft eNgine (SUSAN) Electrofan team who developed a full-scale design concept for a hybrid electric commercial aircraft.
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Publications
Researchers at NASA are continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in electrified aircraft propulsion, publishing dozens of technical papers and presentations each year to share their findings with the world. Categorized by research areas, this collection of digital publications provides an in-depth look into the agency’s testing, development, and knowledge gained in all areas of electrified aircraft propulsion.
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