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With 22% of total commercial flight departures being operated by regional aircraft, the introduction of more innovative concepts is necessary to achieving the net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 defined by the European Green Deal. In this context, HERACLES aims to define an ultra-efficient regional aircraft (UERA) concept, embedding innovative technologies, such as a hybrid electric propulsion system with high-performance batteries and optimized thermal engine (using 100% SAF), optimized propeller, advanced airframe and other enabling technologies for more electric aircraft.
This concept targets a reduction of no less than 30% in CO2 emissions on typical regional routes (250NM or below), compared to a 2020 state-of-the-art aircraft.
The project will benefit of a portfolio of demonstrations in regional thrust, to integrate technologies at high level of maturation (TRL5/6 at the end of the program), to support entry into service in 2035. The certification aspects will also take a major role in HERACLES. The project will coordinate the EASA involvement in all projects of the consortia (HERACLES, REG-01, REG-02 and REG-03), to contribute to the rulemaking for hybrid aircraft and deliver a route to CRL6. Furthermore, HERACLES will support the flight test demonstrator (FTD) assessment led by the REG-03 project, by providing the architecture and configuration assessment of fully integrated design of the demonstrator and the flight physics studies.
It will also support the wind tunnel tests performed in this project by providing the design of the propeller and nacelle concept to be tested. With these activities defined for the UERA concept and the FTD, HERACLES will accelerate the penetration of innovative technologies in the regional aircraft market, to significantly participate to the aviation decarbonization.
Objective 1 : Define an ultra-efficient regional aircraft (UERA) concept that is able to demonstrate at least a 30% CO2 emissions reduction with the potential for exploitation by 2035
Objective 2 : Design innovative propeller to achieve 2% energy efficiency
Objective 3 : Define the Flight Demonstrator technical baseline and perform flight physics loop
Brussels, BELGIUM
Brand Guidelines HERACLES
Funded by the European Union, under Grant Agreement No 101256949. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor Clean Aviation JU can be held responsible for them.