The developer of electric propulsion Whisper Aero works with the US Air Force to develop a new family of self -employed and effective independent aircraft for disputed logistics, with initial flight tests planned for 2027.
Whisper withdrew the curtain on Tuesday on a pair of logistical collaborative concepts (CLA), designed to transport 500 pounds (Cla Light) or up to 3000 pounds (CLA Heavy) cargo while operating from austere or degraded runners. The effort is supported by the contracts of finance strategic finance (stratfi) and contracts for improving operational energy capacities (OCIF). Whisper said that autonomy and manufacturing partners will be announced soon.
Whisper does not build planes – it is therefore possible to develop technologies designed to make them more effective. The supply of the company’s offer is the specialized fans, which, according to them, are quieter than that of competitors, and a family of electric calm (EQ) owners.
The company explored Defense applications Since its release of stealth in 2021. It has already designed, built and managed a group II demonstrator drone integrated into its propulsion systems. Whisper on his website also describes a “new generation caravan” which is very similar to the concepts of the CLA: a “larger plane” which “works in austere environments where the minimization of the acoustic imprint is critical of the mission”.
The Air Force already explores several autonomous concepts built around existing cells, such as Cessna 208b Grand Caravan. But according to Whisper, future autonomous conceptions will require greater energy efficiency, flexibility of tracks and affordability.
“The today’s air mobility portfolio is based strongly on major planes depending on the fuel and dependent on the track that writes operational resilience,” the company said in a press release. “The shorter and less maintained tracks of the Second World War in the Pacific and in other theaters make future logistics disputed particularly difficult.”
This is where the CLA comes into play. Inspired by Air Force collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), Cla Light and Heavy incorporates Whisper’s EQ250 propellants into the wing attack edge, using a concept that he calls Jetfoil. These can be integrated into a variety of aircraft.
“Instead of a singular platform, Whisper believes that the freight missions will be relying more and more on distributed fleets of good-sized Logistics (unixed aircraft systems) capable of operating from austere tracks at any time of the day,” said the company.
Whisper said that several EQ250 engines will each provide 80 pounds of push while reaching lift coefficients that can reach 14, allowing takeoff and short landing (Stol). The engine efficiency should improve at higher speeds. At 250 knots, the CLA planes would generate reduced noise and heat signatures compared to existing models, said the firm.
The Cla Light is a UAS of group 3 with a dashboard speed of 175 knots and a ferry range of 2,000 Nm, shortening at 200 nm at a complete payload of 500 pounds. On its main wing are 12 EQ250 engines, allowing takeoff and landing with only 50 feet of rolls on the ground. Adding to Stol capabilities are a motorcycle group and a 40 kilowatt battery. Its nose opens easily for the loading and unloading of cargoes.
The largest CLA heavy, at 10,140 pounds, can transport 3,000 pounds of cargo on 800 Nm or a ferry 3,000 Nm. Its payload bay can be reconfigured for different types of mission. Thirty higher eq250s tension through the 50 -foot wing of the plane reduce its 300 -foot floor roll, while a 600 kW tiltrous group propels it to accelerate up to 250 knots. Unlike the unrelated CLA light, the model is possibly controlled.
“Without the need for a pilot on board, these planes are designed to be more affordable and attributable,” said Whisper. “They can reposition themselves with greater energy efficiency, prioritize the energy needs for other planes in the fleet.”
Whisper said he adopted a “crawling, walking, running” approach to flight tests with the Air Force. It will start with the ultra -light – a modernized Swift3 glider equipped with two EQ250. The company will finance this test itself. After that, the plan is to start flying with the Air Force to White Sands Missile Range in 2026 using Stratfi and Occi funding.
Once the ultralizer is in suspension, development will switch to the light of the CLA, with flight tests expected in 2027, followed by CLA Heavy. The objective is to control several large -scale variants and, in the four years, to measure the way technology works in service.
Beyond the defense, Whisper’s electric propulsion technology has found uses in consumer products such as leafy blowers. The company has also published concepts for a Whisper And more robust 100 -seat modelBoth based on its channeled fan and engine fan technology.
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