The partnership will provide electric motors for the startup’s adaptive engine concept
Helix, UK manufacturer of power-dense electric motors and inverters, has partnered with California's Astro Mechanica to deliver electric motors for the startup's adaptive engine concept
Four Helix SPX242-94 motors are currently in use in this proprietary dual-use propulsion system, designed to enhance fuel efficiency. Astra Mechanica's engine, Duality TM, and advanced airframe design have the potential to enable the development of supersonic aircraft with near-term military and civilian applications, such as national defence, orbital launch, and long-range cargo delivery.
DualityTM uses power-dense electric motors to separate the propulsion unit from the turboshaft core. The turbogenerator utilises a gas turbine to generate electricity, with two motors driving the four Helix motors in the propulsors that control the fan and compressor.
The hybrid-electric architecture allows it to mimic a turbofan at subsonic speeds, a turbojet at lower supersonic speeds, and transition to a ramjet at high supersonic speeds. This adaptability enhances performance across a range of flight speeds and profiles, creating a combined-cycle turboelectric adaptive engine that is efficient from take-off to Mach 3+. In combination with an advanced airframe design, Astro Mechanica is developing the world's first supersonic aircraft with transpacific capability.
Four Helix SPX242-94 motors are at the centre of Astro Mechanica's fourth-generation engine prototype, powering the 2-stage compressor of the propulsor unit. These motors are capable of 400kW of peak power and 470Nm of maximum torque. On a continuous basis, they can output 300kW of power and 286Nm of torque.
Helix is also developing custom motors for the fifth generation of Astro Mechanica's propulsion system, which will power the turbogenerator in this full-scale engine. The new motors are expected to deliver 900kW of continuous power in either generator or propulsion mode. Peak power is 950kW, with a maximum torque of 575Nm, operating at up to 20,000rpm. The new motor isolation system has been created for extreme-altitude operation.
Helix's radial flux motors are a vital enabling technology for Astro Mechanica. With their peerless power density, this technology facilitates the turbogenerator and propulsor to operate at the level of efficiency required to realise the DualityTM engine's step-change in aviation.
Derek Jordanou-Bailey, aerospace chief engineer at Helix, said, “We are incredibly proud that our electric motors are powering DualityTM, given its potential to reshape aviation and aerospace. For decades, Helix has worked at the very cutting-edge of electric powertrain technology and are now a critical enabler in electrification journey of many high-performance sectors. Astro Mechanica’s engine shows that our unrivalled power density stands to completely transform the engineering and economics of whole industries.”
Astro Mechanica is testing the fourth generation of its engine prototype and is expecting its first flight within three years. Within a decade, Astro Mechanica hopes to make supersonic passenger travel as accessible and affordable as commercial air travel is today.
