The aircraft, called Heart Experimental 1 (Heart X1), was designed to demonstrate the capabilities of the ES-30, which is expected to revolutionize short-haul flights.
The ES-30 will operate in a backup hybrid configuration. For flights of up to 200 km, the aircraft will rely solely on two electric motors mounted close to the fuselage on each wing. For longer flights of up to 400 km, two additional turboprop engines will be placed on the wings to increase the aircraft’s range. The aircraft, developed by BAE-Systems, has batteries that fully charge in just 30 minutes.
The Heart X1, with a wingspan of 32 meters, will initially undergo ground tests including charging, taxiing and tarmac operation. Following these tests, the first flight of the fully electric aircraft is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2025. The company plans to switch to hybrid-electric flights by 2026.
If development timelines are met, the ES-30 could enter commercial service by 2028.
Source: Ferra
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