FutureFlight
New Connection Technology Keeps Electric Aircraft Ahead of the Power Curve
Current standards for components like cables don't take account of much higher voltages and the aviation industry is having to urgently address this change.
TE Connectivity
High-performance cables, wires and connectors are now imperative to deal with the much higher electrical power loads for new eVTOL aircraft, like the hardware being provided by specialist companies such as TE Connectivity for Vertical Aerospace's new eVTOL design. (Images: Vertical Aerospace and TE Connectivity)

With electrical power being a key driver of advanced air mobility, it is understandable that prospects for success seem to hinge so much on motor and battery technology. But the technical challenges in bringing electric aircraft to market to support commercially viable operations are bigger and more complex than just these elements.

As pioneers of so-called "more electric aircraft" have already found with airliners and other fixed-wing aircraft since the 1990s, increased reliance on electricity is raising the technology bar in several ways. The higher power levels required mean that increased voltages have to be safely and effectively controlled, and the resulting higher temperatures necessitate improved thermal management. Weight and space limitations are also key factors.