Akihabara News (Tokyo) — The yet-to-be-unveiled SkyDrive SD-05, a two-seater eVTOL, is coming closer to realization as the firm has announced two key component suppliers.
Shiga Prefecture-based Toray Carbon Magic will be supplying advanced carbon fiber reinforced plastics for the vehicle.
A release from SkyDrive explained that “the most important factor in the development of the two-seater SD-05 is to reduce the weight of the vehicle. Toray Carbon Magic’s design and manufacturing technologies and facilities are extremely effective in achieving this goal, and we have been engaged in discussions and prototypes of a light and strong carbon fiber reinforced plastic structure for a flying car.”
It added that, in addition to being strong and lightweight, “carbon fiber also has features such as electrical conductivity, heat resistance, a low thermal expansion coefficient, self-lubricity, and X-ray permeability.”
SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa described the use of this material as being “an essential element of our two-seater aircraft SD-05.”
Separately, it was announced that Utah-based Electric Power Systems has been selected to design, develop, and manufacture the battery system for the SD-05.
The SD-05 will employ the firm’s EPiC battery system, which includes battery modules and a battery management system.
When the EPiC battery system was unveiled last year, Electric Power Systems CEO Nathan Millecam stated that it represents “a major step forward in advancing electric propulsion for airborne applications. Our modular platform allows aircraft designers the ability to create innovative new airframe concepts, as well as revitalize legacy airframes.”
In 2019, Boeing and Safran invested in Electric Power Systems to enhance its research and development, energy storage, and electric propulsion capabilities. The Utah firm’s publicly announced customers include NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, Safran, Bell Textron, and Embraer.
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