Engines
XTI and VerdeGo Work on Hybrid-electric Propulsion Options
VH4-T propulsion system could be applied to TriFan 600 VTOL and possible uncrewed aircraft
XTI Aerospace TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft
XTI Aerospace is now considering hybrid-electric propulsion as an option for its TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft, which it sees as an alternative to business jets and helicopters.

XTI Aerospace is exploring options to use VerdeGo Aero’s hybrid-electric propulsion systems for its TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft. On Tuesday, the U.S. companies announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to start a technology collaboration around both the TriFan, which initially will be powered by a pair of as-yet-unspecified turbofans, and possible uncrewed aircraft systems for military and civil applications.

According to Colorado-based XTI, its willingness to consider hybrid-electric propulsion is based on what it says is the “significant progress” VerdeGo Aero has made in maturing its technology over the past two years. The companies’ engineering teams will now collaborate on aircraft mission performance targets and assess their power requirements.