Rolls-Royce eVTOL
Quick Summary
The Rolls-Royce eVTOL was unveiled (digitally) at the Farnborough International Airshow 2018. The concept exists mainly to exhibit the Rolls-Royce plc propulsion system. When the final Rolls Royce eVTOL is released, the airframe may look entirely different. The unveiled propulsion system features front and rear tilting wings that can tilt between vertical flight mode and horizontal flight mode. Although certification and commercial model remain unknown, Rolls-Royce expects the technology to be ready in the 2020s.
Rolls Royce plc.
Stage of Development
Preliminary Design
Prototype Build
Flight Testing
Certification
Commercially Operating
Technical Details
Company Name: Rolls-Royce
Headquarters: London, UK
CEO: Warren East
Product Name: Rolls Royce eVTOL
Type of Machine: Air taxi
Power: Hybrid-electric. (An RR-250 gas turbine is used to provide supplemental electricity to the battery)
Capacity: Four to five passengers
Altitude: Operates between 500 ft to 3000 ft above the ground.
Vertical take-off and landing: On six propellors–two on the tilting wing and two on the tilting tail.
Fixed wing flight: On the main wing, which tilts for horizontal cruise. At cruise height, the propellers on the wing fold away to reduce drag and cabin noise; the craft then uses the two rear propellers for thrust
Propulsion: The M250 hybrid electric engine will deliver approximately 500kW electrical power.
Range: About 500 miles.
Speed: About 250mph
Regulation: Since Rolls -Royce is mainly exhibiting its new propulsion system with this eVTOL aircraft, and is still looking for partners for the airframe and electrical systems, there has not yet been any news about certification testing.
Our Take on Rolls Royce
Rolls-Royce is a highly established company and an expert in producing propulsion systems for aviation. There is no doubt that Rolls-Royce will eventually develop a full eVTOL, or at least will be a prominent supplier for eVTOL propulsion. Rolls-Royce has not yet developed a commercial model for the eVTOL, but mentions that "The design could be adapted for personal transport, public transport, logistics and military applications and is based upon technologies that already exist or are currently under development.." Rolls-Royce predicts that the new tech could be in the air as early as the 2020s. Read more about Rolls-Royce's 'electrification' effort here.