CityAirbus NextGen formally unveiled for public viewing
Airbus, a global aerospace giant, has formed a strategic partnership with LCI, a leading aviation company, to focus on the development of partnership scenarios and business models in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market. This collaboration will focus on three core areas: strategy, commercialization, and financing.
As part of this partnership, Airbus has unveiled the CityAirbus NextGen prototype, a two-tonne electric aircraft with a 12-meter wing span. The CityAirbus NextGen is designed to carry four passengers and, optionally, a pilot. It is powered by eight electric ducted fans supplied by Siemens SP200D motors, delivering a combined output equivalent to four times 140 kW (190 hp).
The CityAirbus NextGen is intended for a variety of missions in urban environments, boasting a cruise speed of approximately 120 km/h (75 mph) and an endurance of around 15 minutes per charge. The aircraft's development and testing are supported by a global team and partners, with the development location primarily being Donauwörth, Germany, where the electrical drivetrain and integrated systems are tested and developed. The propulsion system, however, is built in Ottobrunn/Munich.
The CityAirbus NextGen test center, part of Airbus' ongoing and long-term investment in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), began operations with the power-on of the prototype in December 2023. The tests include the electric motors with eight rotors, as well as the aircraft's flight controls and avionics.
Balkiz Sarihan, Head of Urban Air Mobility at Airbus, stated that the unveiling of the CityAirbus NextGen is an important step towards advanced air mobility and their future products and markets. The partnership between Airbus and LCI is a strategic move to position both companies for success in the growing AAM market.
LCI, a leading aviation company, has partnered with Airbus to work on the development of partnership scenarios and business models in AAM. This collaboration is expected to contribute to the growth and success of the AAM market, creating a unique ecosystem to foster a successful and viable AAM market.
This partnership is a significant step towards the development and growth of the AAM market, and Airbus' ongoing commitment to investing in and developing the AAM market is evident. The CityAirbus NextGen prototype is expected to take its maiden flight later this year, and with continued development and testing, it could revolutionize urban mobility.
[1] Technical specifications for CityAirbus NextGen retrieved from Airbus official website
[2] Sources claiming a takeoff speed of 300 km/h for the CityAirbus NextGen may refer to different aircraft or contexts, as the credible technical specifications for CityAirbus NextGen consistently report a cruise speed near 120 km/h. Given that the CityAirbus is an electric VTOL designed for urban mobility, a 300 km/h takeoff speed is improbable and likely refers to a different vehicle.
[1] The CityAirbus NextGen, a prototype developed by Airbus, boasts technology that sets it apart as a potential gamechanger in urban mobility. [2] This electric aircraft, designed for a variety of missions in urban environments, showcases Airbus' dedication to advanced technology and their commitment to the growth of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market.
