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For its first flight, the plane took off from the UK MoD’s Boscombe Down site, which has a long history of experimental flight, and hovered for about 15 minutes.
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First flight of the all-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
According to Rolls-Royce, the flight marks the start of an “intense flight test phase” to collect “valuable performance data on the aircraft’s power supply and propulsion system.”
First flight of the all-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
The spirit of innovation is part of Rolls-Royce’s ‘Accelerating the Electrification of Flight’ program, funded by the UK government. The technology developed in the program will help fight climate change and “will play a fundamental role in enabling the future of low carbon flight”.
All-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
While the aircraft’s mission is to offer a decarbonization solution, the company is also focused on breaking world records with the aircraft’s 400 kW (500+ horsepower) electric powertrain, and c is exactly what she did.
All-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
On November 16, just two months after making its very first flight, Rolls-Royce’s all-electric “Spirit of Innovation” aircraft potentially set three world speed records.
All-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
According to the company, the plane reached 555.9 km / h (345.4 mph) over three kilometers (1.86 miles), which breaks the current record of 213.04 km / h (132 mph).
All-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
Additionally, Rolls-Royce believes the plane broke the 15 kilometer (9.32 mile) speed record at 239.3 km / h (149 mph), reaching 532.1 km / h (330 mph).
All-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
The company says the plane also had the fastest climb to 3,000 meters, which the plane did in 202 seconds. The previous record was 262 seconds.
All-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
During its testing, the aircraft reached a top speed of 623 km / h (387.4 mph), and the company is certain that this makes the aircraft the fastest all-electric aircraft in the world.
All-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce submitted its data to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the body that controls aeronautical world records, for certification.
All-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce
“This is the highlight of my career and an incredible achievement for the whole team. The opportunity to be at the forefront of another pioneering chapter in Rolls-Royce history as we seek delivering the future of aviation is what dreams are made of, ”said O’Dell.
All-electric Rolls-Royce Spirit of Innovation aircraft.
Rolls Royce
Source: Rolls-Royce