has established a dedicated subsidiary company and consortium member to focus on ongoing R&D, testing and OEM production of its revolutionary turbo-fans for electric aircraft and commercial UAVs.
With a permanent base at Angers Loire airport, European Sustainable Propulsion SAS (ESP) will work closely with drone manufacturers and customers to develop solutions and specifications that meet their end users’ requirements.
Neva Aerospace Ltd will maintain its focus on opportunities for developing turnkey commercial and industrial UAVs in partnership with key clients. It will also lead the group on continuing technical innovation in the complex world of UAVs where battery power, recharging, safety and airspace regulation are but a few of the fast-evolving, interconnected activity streams. With its patented technologies and large patent portfolio for electric distributed propulsion, the Neva Aerospace consortium remains in the spotlight as the one to watch!
Robert Vergnes, President of the Neva Consortium said: “We identified Angers as an ideal base for our operations some time ago and have had tremendous support from both the airport itself and the local development agency ALDEV. Angers recognises the potential of our technology and sees the opportunity to establish a European lead in UAV and airborne electric vehicle propulsion. With neighbours like Babcock, we are among good company at the airport .”
The turbofans that will be produced by ESP are uniquely optimised for vertical and short takeoff and landing (VTOL & STOL). They are intrinsically safe and sustainable as there are no uncaged rotors. Remarkably light and powerful and meet engineers’ needs for power, control and safety as they design commercial drones and electric aircraft for practical applications where payload and range are critical. These will range from logistics and long-distance surveying to providing stable platforms for aerial robots.
“A strategic battle is currently going on between the great powers, the battle for the efficiency of transport in general and in particular that of air transport. The mastery of the technology of electric turbines that will eventually replace the thermal turbines used to propel helicopters, light aircraft and regional aircraft, is a key issue, and of strategic importance for the European Union . ”
“At a time when the new focus is on ’flying cars’ lie Uber-Elevate and Airbus-Vahana, we believe that the real opportunities lie in industrial and B2B markets. It is important to produce electric turbines for manufacturers of heavy goods vehicles and aircraft for the freight, construction and security sectors.”
“The key advantages of distributed electric turbine propulsion are their complete safety and low capital and operational costs. There are also environmental benefits of less noise and less pollution than current engines, because our technology can power hybrid or all-electric aircraft as soon as battery technology allows. “
The range of electric turbines produced in Angers will be used by members of the Neva Aerospace consortium for the development of heavy air vehicles and will also be offered for sale to other UAV and aerial platform producers.
The target markets are cargo lifting, humanitarian intervention, air ambulance, cargo transportation, and police and military systems, for take-off weights (MSMD / MTOW) ranging from 5Kg to 2000Kg.
Source: Press Release