FutureFlight
Blue Bear to Lead UK's INCEPTION Electric Propulsion Project
The program has received a government grant worth almost $4 million, following recent support for hydrogen propulsion projects.
Blue Bear INCEPTION
Blue Bear Systems Research is leading the UK-based INCEPTION project to develop a new electric propulsion system. (Image: Blue Bear)

Blue Bear Systems Research is leading a new consortium to develop an electric propulsion system. The UK-based company, which has a background in unmanned aerial systems, has just secured a £2.8 million ($3.9 million) government grant from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) to support work on a project called Integrated Flight Control Energy Storage and Propulsion Technologies for Electric Aircraft (INCEPTION).

This week’s announcement about the program did not provide any information about the level of power the technology might deliver. According to Blue Bear CEO Yoge Patel, the design will be developed for both autonomous and piloted aircraft that could include eVTOL models, large cargo drones, general aviation aircraft, and so-called sub-regional airliners (generally categorized as carrying no more than 20 passengers).