With 1 Megawatt Mark Reached, NASA Altitude Testing Looms

Wright Electric hit a record 1 megawatt using its aerospace-specific motor-generator.

The record is a new high for the company, breaking the 1,300 horsepower mark with a single unit. The record led the firm right into announcing a recent Space Act Agreement with NASA that will see their equipment tested at altitude using the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed.The versatile Wright propulsion system can be operated as a motor or a generator, enabling its installation as a standard APU or turbogenerator for direct propulsion. The firm has an eye on terrestrial use, too, seeing a day when the Wright is installed in a range of heavy ground and rail equipment. 

Jeff Engler, Founder and CEO of Wright Electric, was happy to extol the virtues of the firm's new accomplishment. “Achieving 1 Megawatt, specifically 1 Megawatt of shaft power, is an important step in reaching Wright’s goal of making all single-aisle flights under 800 miles zero emissions. Commercial class airplanes need megawatt-sized propulsion systems for a full passenger load take off. We are excited to bring our motor to the NEAT facility at NASA, where it will be tested at up to 40,000 feet, and we are confident our motor is more than ready for that challenge.” 

FMI: www.weflywright.com