BAE Systems

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

David Donald

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Global Combat Air Program core platform sports a new look

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News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

The trial involves Red 6’s ATARS system in a Hawk T.Mk 2

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Matt Thurber

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

The NTSB final report was inconclusive about why the jet was unable to rotate

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New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Upgrade breathes new life into a venerable airframe

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Chris Pocock

The Storm EW system can protect diverse platforms against proliferating advanced air defense systems.

BAE Systems Offers New-Tech EW System for Export

Heart Aerospace has enlisted BAE Systems to help it define the battery system for its planned ES-30 hybrid-electric regional airliner. The Swedish start-up says it is targeting a power density of 330 Wh/kg as part of a propulsion system that will combine four battery-driven electric motors with a pair of as-yet-unspecified turbogenerators.
Heart unveiled its development of&nbsp;the 30-seat model<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-09-15/heart-unveils-plans-30-seat-electric-regional-airliner-new-backers">&nbsp;in September 2022</a>&nbsp;when it announced the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/heart-electric-airliner">ES-30</a> as an alternative to a previously planned&nbsp;19-passenger, <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2020-09-23/heart-aerospace-advances-plans-es-19-electric-regional-airliner">all-electric ES-19 aircraft</a>. After consulting with prospective customers, including Air Canada, the company opted for a hybrid-electric powertrain to give operators the option of more range while meeting reserve energy requirements. The new model is expected to offer carriers an all-electric range of 200 kilometers&nbsp;(125 miles), with an extended full-payload range of twice that distance and the potential for longer hybrid-powered flights to 800 kilometers (500 miles) with 25 passengers, taking account of standard airline fuel reserves.
BAE Systems is joining other ES-30 program partners, including Swedish aerospace group Saab, avionics supplier Garmin, and aerostructures specialist Aernnova. Its contribution will be made by the UK-based group’s Controls and Avionics Solutions operation in upstate New York, which has more than 25 years of experience electrifying large, heavy-duty industrial vehicles with over 15,000 power and propulsion systems in service worldwide.
Early design drawings for the ES-30 show a large compartment in the lower fuselage that will be used to carry the batteries. Another difference from the earlier ES-19 design is the new spars connecting the wing to the fuselage.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-drupal-media align-center">
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 <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/futureflight/import/bae_heart_battery-pack_2.png" width="5760" height="3240" alt="Heart Aerospace and BAE Systems are jointly developing battery packs for the ES-30 aircraft." title="Heart Aerospace and BAE Systems are jointly developing battery packs for the ES-30 aircraft.">

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 <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Heart Aerospace and BAE Systems are jointly developing battery packs for the ES-30 aircraft.</div>
 
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<figcaption>Heart Aerospace and BAE Systems are jointly developing battery packs for the ES-30 aircraft.</figcaption>
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“BAE Systems’ extensive experience in developing batteries for heavy-duty ground applications, and their experience in developing safety critical control systems for aerospace make them an ideal partner for this important next step for the ES-30 and for the aviation industry,” said Heart’s chief operating officer, Sofia Graflund. “We look forward to decarbonizing air travel together.”
To date, Heart says, it holds provisional sales agreements&nbsp;for 230 of the ES-30, with 100 options and letters of intent for an additional 108 units. Among the prospective operators for the aircraft the company intends to start delivering in 2028 are Air Canada and United Airlines. Letters of intent have been signed by Swedish leasing group Rockton and Portuguese <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-10-14/heart-collects-commitment-six-es-30-electric-airplanes-portugals-sevenair">regional carrier Sevenair</a>.
Heart is building extensive facilities for advancing electric aviation technology at Gothenburg’s Säve Airport. The new Northern Runway campus will accommodate the company’s offices, production, and flight test facilities and&nbsp;provide space for partner companies in new sustainable buildings. The facility is part of a larger Gateway Säve development owned by the Castellum group.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

BAE To Develop Battery System for Heart's ES-30 Hybrid-electric Regional Airliner

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

BAE Systems opened a new plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa a month after opening facilities in Austin, Texas, Huntsville, Alabama, and Manchester, New Hampshire.

BAE Adds Cedar Rapids To Locations with New Facilities

British defense contractor BAE Systems has entered into a three-year cooperation agreement with lithium-ion battery developer Amprius Technologies, the companies announced last week. Amprius will supply BAE with lightweight and high-energy batteries for electric aviation applications, while leaving the door open to other possible uses in BAE’s defense technologies.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-05-13/battery-supplier-amprius-boost-electric-mobility-ambitions-equity-flotation">Amprius</a> is a Fremont, California-based company developing high-energy lithium-ion batteries with silicon nanowire anode technology. The company claims that its batteries deliver the highest energy density of any existing lithium-ion batteries.&nbsp;
“Amprius has engaged with many companies to provide our cells to power their electric propulsion systems,” a company spokesperson told FutureFlight. “Amprius has also provided batteries for the high-performance, high-altitude experimental drone aircraft manufactured by Airbus Defense and Space for the U.S Army. The Airbus Zephyr flew for 64 days straight, partially thanks to its Amprius battery packs. Since we offer the only commercially available <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-02-11/amprius-raises-energy-density-stakes-450-whkg-battery">lithium-ion cells over 450 Wh/kg</a> that contain the performance advantage of a 100&nbsp;percent silicon anode, Amprius Technologies is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing electric aviation market.”
Whereas most lithium-ion batteries use graphite powder or other carbon materials for their anode—the negatively charged electrode inside the battery—Amprius uses silicon, which can store up to 10 times more lithium and therefore has a significantly higher charging capacity.&nbsp;
However, silicon also tends to swell and crack when charged with lithium, which can cause batteries to stop working. To solve that problem, Amprius has developed anodes with silicon nanowires, a configuration that tolerates the swelling and is resistant to cracking. The silicon nanowire anodes replace the traditional graphite anodes, while the rest of the battery’s components are the same as with other lithium-ion batteries.
“Amprius’s innovative silicon nanowire anode battery cells have the potential to deliver exceptional performance, and so we’re keen to work with them to explore opportunities for the electric products that we’re developing for military applications,” said Dave Holmes, advanced projects, technology and manufacturing director at BAE Systems’ Air.
The Amprius spokesperson told FutureFlight that the company's silicon anode batteries can be used in any product&nbsp;that utilizes battery technology, including any&nbsp;electric products that BAE is developing for military applications. For example, BAE's product portfolio includes electronic warfare systems that detect&nbsp;and disable&nbsp;radio frequency threats,&nbsp;surveillance and reconnaissance sensors, communications equipment, and military vehicles for air, land, and sea.
“BAE Systems is at the technological forefront of the defense industry, and this agreement validates the potential of our silicon nanowire anode technology for rigorous aerial applications,” said Amprius CEO Kang Sun.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

BAE Systems Taps Battery Maker Amprius for Electric Aviation and Defense Applications

Aerospace group BAE is designing a lightweight, fly-by-wire system for the five-seat eVTOL vehicle being developed by Hyundai Motor subsidiary Supernal.

BAE Develops Flight Controls for Supernal eVTOL

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

BAE's newest facility in Austin, Texas, will be dedicated to engineering and manufacturing of programs such as autonomy, cyber, and sensor development.

BAE Systems

News

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BAE Systems Offers New-Tech EW System for Export

BAE To Develop Battery System for Heart's ES-30 Hybrid-electric Regional Airliner

BAE Adds Cedar Rapids To Locations with New Facilities

BAE Systems Taps Battery Maker Amprius for Electric Aviation and Defense Applications

BAE Develops Flight Controls for Supernal eVTOL

BAE Opens New Manufacturing Plant in Austin

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