BAE to develop battery system for Heart Aerospace’s ES-30 aircraft

BAE Systems and Swedish electric airplane OEM, Heart Aerospace are collaborating on the battery system for Heart’s ES-30 regional electric aircraft.  

The battery (pictured below) will be the first-of-its-kind to be integrated into an electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) regional aircraft, according to the firms. The ES-30 will be powered by four electric motors, with an all-electric range of 200km, an extended reserve-hybrid range of 400km with 30 passengers and the ability to fly up to 800km with 25 passengers.  

“Our industry-leading solution builds on decades of expertise delivering technologies and systems needed to progress sustainable transportation,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “We are delighted to collaborate with Heart Aerospace on the innovative battery system for its electric airplane.” 

The programme is leveraging over 25 years of BAE Systems’ expertise in electrifying large, heavy-duty industrial vehicles. Today, the firm has over 15,000 power and propulsion systems operating in service across the globe.

Sofia Graflund, COO at Heart Aerospace, said: “BAE Systems’ extensive experience in developing batteries for heavy-duty ground applications, and their experience in developing safety critical control systems for aerospace, make them an ideal partner in this important next step for the ES-30 and for the aviation industry. We look forward to decarbonising air travel together.” 

Heart Aerospace has a total of 230 orders and 100 options for the ES-30, along with LoIs for an additional 108 aircraft.