VerdeGo Aero VH-3 Hybrid Electric Powerplant

The VerdeGo Aero VH-3-185 (VH-3) is a hybrid-electric powerplant that is purpose-built for powering electric aircraft as a substitute for battery-only systems. The VH-3 is built upon a custom version of the SMA SR305-260E, an EASA-certified aviation diesel engine, and incorporates a custom generator, inverter, cooling system and control system. The VH-3 features industry-leading fuel economy of 0.37 lb/hp-hr (227 g/kWh), which at 185 kW max output equals 10.2 gal/hr, approximately 40% less than competing turbine-hybrid systems and utilizes commonly available jet fuel such as Jet A or JP8, or sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The VH-3 is a mature design, a third-generation product that is the result of over $6M of investment, US government research, and early product sales. The second-generation VH-2-150 has already been delivered to commercial customers and has been endurance tested for greater than 300 hours, resulting in a TRL of 6. The VH-3 is currently the subject of a USAF Phase II SBIR effort that is reducing risk in key areas. Further details of this effort are discussed in Part 5 of the White Paper. FAA Part 33 type certification is already underway with the FAA. The VH-3 is primarily applicable to new aircraft designs that must be electric as a result of the aircraft’s design and mission requirements, but require more range and endurance than batteries alone can provide. Advanced Air Mobility is the target market for the VH-3, which includes manned aircraft for Urban Air Mobility, cargo delivery and other markets, and unmanned aircraft primarily in military and commercial cargo operations. This Phase 1 R&D will demonstrate the applicability of the VH-3 in four representative configurations of aircraft in the 1500 to 5000 lb. size class, including a ¼-scale SUSAN demonstrator. As an option, VerdeGo could focus 100% of the Phase 1 effort on a more detailed SUSAN demonstrator integration study.