The Spirit of Innovation (electrically powered) plane by Rolls-Royce made its first flight on 15th September 2021.
Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft test flight
The aircraft took off at 14:56 hours (BST) from the Ministry of Defense’s Boscombe Down military testing site in the United Kingdom. The plane was propelled by a 400kW (500+hp) electric powertrain with a very densely powered battery pack.
This test was also a milestone for the aviation industry in terms of decarbonization.
Warren East, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce, stated that the first take-off of the Spirit of Innovation aircraft by Rolls-Royce was a great achievement for the ACCEL and Rolls-Royce team. East stated that the Rolls-Royce company was focused on initiating technological breakthroughs to decarbonize transports across lands, seas, and air. The firm was striving to create an economic opportunity for net-zero carbon emissions.
Warren East stated in a press release by Rolls-Royce that the Spirit of Innovation flight was not only about breaking the world record, but also about showcasing the advanced propulsion technology and battery power that was developed by the firm for this program. He said that the aircraft has innovative applications for the urban air transport market, by making ‘jet zero’ an achievable reality.
The aircraft is propelled by a 400-kilowatt (500-horse power) electric powertrain.
British Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, stated that the opening test flight of revolutionary Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft will initiate a big step in the global transition to cleaner forms of flight in the transport sector.
By backing projects of this scale, the UK government is helping to propel the aviation industry to push the boundaries in terms of technologies. By leveraging great investment, the government facilitates an opportunity to unlock a cleaner and greener aircraft that is required to solve environmental issues of drastic climate change.
The firm will utilize technology from its ACCEL project and fabricate it for the new products.
The Spirit of Innovation’s electric battery is being advanced to provide aircraft speeds of over 480 kilometers per hour. This speed is the goal for the plane’s world record efforts.
In June 2021, Rolls-Royce declared a plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. This plan came into existence after 1 year of being a part of the UN Race to Zero campaign.
The firm is targeting to be a net-zero operation by 2030 with all its products proving compatible by 2050.