Distributed Electrical Aerospace Propulsion

Distributed Electrical Aerospace Propulsion Mark Husband, Lorenzo Raffaelli (1), James Alderman, Frederick Berg (2), Peter Malkin (3) 1 : Rolls-Royce plc, PO Box 31, Derby, England. mark.husband@rolls-royce.com, lorenzo.raffaelli.rolls-royce.com 2 : Airbus Group, james.alderman@eads.com, Frederick.berg@eads.com 3 : Cranfield University, p.malkin@cranfield.ac.uk Abstract This paper investigates the development of hybrid-electric distributed propulsion system. This offers a number of potential performance benefits including improved aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal and operational efficiency (based on energy management) and increased aircraft design freedom. Airbus Group Innovations, Rolls-Royce plc and Cranfield University are working together on a UK government funded Distributed Electrical Aerospace Propulsion project. Through this project a number of models for key enabling sub-systems including Boundary Layer re-energising fan systems, higher off-take engine solutions and superconducting electrical networks have been brought together as part of an overall distributed propulsion aircraft concept model. Through an iterative design process an understanding of the design space is b