FutureFlight
GKN Confirms Plans To Develop Ducted Electric Fan To Power Regional Airliner
GKN Aerospace's global technology center in Sweden is working with the country's Royal Institute for Technology to design a new type of ducted electric fan propulsion system.

GKN Aerospace is teaming with Sweden’s Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) to develop an electric fan thruster for a program called EleFanT. In an October 5 announcement, the partners said they started working in July on the propulsion system, which could provide sufficient power for a small regional airliner.

The 18-month project will focus on the aerodynamic design, performance, noise, and manufacturing technology required for a new ducted fan. The joint GKN/KTH team will also determine whether the electric power should be based on batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, or some sort of hybrid propulsion powertrain.