NASA made history with “X-planes” beginning with the Bell X-1—the first aircraft to maintain supersonic speeds in level flight. NASA’s key roll has always been about innovation and development of the “next big thing.” Oddly, it has been 20 years since NASA took delivery of an X-plane. In this case, the innovation is not focused on speed or altitude, but power. The X-57 is NASA’s first all-electric airplane.
Delivered in early October, the X-57 Modification II aircraft, developed by Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero) of San Luis Obispo, California is a modified production Tecnam P2006T aircraft, powered by electric motors.
The X-57 will be tested in up to three configurations (or Modifications), with the final Mod including 14 high-lift electric motors and propellers along the leading edge of the wings, and two wingtip cruise motors.
The objectives of the tests are to “demonstrate a 500-percent increase in high-speed cruise efficiency, zero in-flight carbon emissions, and flight that is much quieter for the community on the ground.” (NASA).