Electric aircraft for the Royal Air Force…..
The UK’s Royal Air Force is taking another step forward in its plan to be Net Zero by 2040 with the testing of electric aircraft for training purposes.
The RAF has been offered access to a ground-breaking zero-emissions aircraft at an early stage of development in order to gain a better understanding of the new technologies on offer. The RAF is investing in the Next Generation Air Force by developing capabilities at the cutting edge of technology and improve its capabilities through the most sustainable means.
The Astra initiative is looking at various ways in making improvements to the suitability of various operations within the RAF, including aircraft and airfield arrangements, both on the ground and in the air. Logistics support, infrastructure requirements along with total safety are also being looked at.
The current part of the project is not to assess a particular aircraft or to gain insight for particular procurement, but to test the processes and functionality and implementation of electric aircraft as a concept.
Access to this technology now is enabling MOD and the RAF to start the process of addressing the broad sustainability issues faced by government and military organisations with a paradigm shift in the way aviation operators function.
A small team of Test Pilots from the Air and Space Warfare Centre have flown the Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft at 2 locations. Phase 1 training for the pilots started at Damyns Hall at the end of 2021 and Phase 2 took place at RAF College Cranwell in March 2022. Other Ministry of Defence personnel also undertook a high-level assessment of the potential infrastructure and technology support considerations the Ministry of Defence will need to take into account, as and when sustainable aviation technology starts to be introduced in the coming years.
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