FutureFlight
Rolls Looks Beyond E-Fan X Program To Reassess Green Propulsion Priorities
The UK-based group is concluding low-profile work on a ground-based testbed for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion systems.
Rolls-Royce ground testbed at Cranfield
Rolls-Royce has been working on a ground testbed at Cranfield in the UK to evaluate options for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion systems. (Image: Hari Venkitaraman via Reddit/aerospace)

Rolls-Royce is concluding work on a ground-based testbed to evaluate requirements for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion systems. According to Olaf Otto, customer director at the aircraft engine maker’s Electrical division, the group is “firmly focused” on future opportunities in this sector following its acquisition of Siemens's eAircraft business.

The ground test rig was developed in partnership with Cranfield University’s Aerospace Integration Centre. Rolls said it has never intended to use it for flight testing.