magniX, a company leading the electric aviation revolution, has successfully completed the first phase of testing at the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) facility in Sandusky, Ohio, as part of NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) program. The testing focused on high voltage (800V) operations and thermal performance, confirming the magni650 electric engine’s exceptional capabilities at altitudes of up to 27,500 feet.
NASA awarded magniX a $74.3 million contract in 2021 as a partner for the EPFD program, which aims to accelerate the entry into service of electric aviation. Under the program, magniX will retrofit an Air Tindi De Havilland Dash 7 with a magniX electric powertrain. The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) to establish the baseline design for the flight demonstration and retrofit of the Dash 7 was completed in February 2024.
The next phase of testing at the NEAT facility will begin in June and focus on expanding the operating envelope for altitude, power, and temperature, further understanding the industry-leading performance and reliability of magniX’s electric powertrain in all flight conditions.
Ben Loxton, Vice-President of NASA EPFD Program at magniX, said, “It is exciting to see how brilliantly our magni650 engine performed in this first phase of testing at the NEAT facility. The NEAT test campaign is a cornerstone of the NASA EPFD program and achieving success under conditions up to 27,500 feet is a significant milestone. Results such as this, and our recent Letter of Intent from Harbour Air for 50 of our magni650 engines, are major steps on our path to leading the electrification of regional aircraft.”
magniX, headquartered in Everett, Washington, U.S., has developed a family of electric propulsion units (EPUs) and energy storage systems (ESS) for commercial aviation. The company’s high energy density batteries and unparalleled EPU performance are leading the aviation industry into a sustainable future. magniX is a subsidiary of the Clermont Group, an international conglomerate headquartered in Singapore.
