Aircraft manufacturer Smartflyer has partnered with H55, the Swiss-based electric propulsion system maker, to produce batteries for the company’s hybrid electric aircraft, the SF-1.
The company said the battery is one of the core systems of the SF-1, and so it wanted to rely on the track record and expertise of H55.
H55’s technology has been specifically developed for aviation, from the battery cells to the full modules, and will be the first to receive certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The battery system is said to surpasses its original expected capacity, which will provide enhanced performance and additional operational flexibility.
Under the partnership, it will allow the integration of H55’s newest batteries into Smartflyer’s upcoming battery nose module, currently under development.
H55 said that the collaboration aligns with the company’s strategy of modular systems adaptable for multiple applications.
It allows for the its battery systems to be used on entry-level, all-electric aircraft based on existing designs, as well as more complex solutions optimised for hybrid-electric systems.
The first demonstrator is due to fly in 2026.
Rolf Stuber, CEO, Smartflyer, said, “With H55, we have found a partner who fully shares our vision of innovation, safety, and sustainability. H55’s advanced battery technology is not only a technical milestone for the SF-1, but also a cornerstone in redefining the future of aviation and accelerating the path toward lower-emission flying.”
Image: Smartflyer and H55 have made an agreement to produce the SF-1 hybrid electric aircraft batteries. Credit: Smartflyer.
