VoltAero chooses Safran electrical wiring for Cassio 330 electric-hybrid certification aircraft

Safran Electrical & Power has been selected to supply the electrical wiring on VoltAero’s Cassio 330 electric-hybrid certification aircraft.

With this contract, Safran Electrical & Power will design and produce electrical wiring for the propulsion system and power distribution system, in particular the high-voltage wiring.

The wiring will be qualified for power ratings up to 800 Volts in continuous operation, and is to be designed to resist partial discharge phenomena at altitude. At the equivalent size of cabling produced today for traditional aircraft, the Cassio wiring will carry power levels twice as high.

Safran Electrical & Power will provide its technical expertise to support VoltAero in obtaining the SOF (Safety of Flight) validation – a prerequisite for carrying out the Cassio 330’s certification flight tests.

This contract extends a partnership signed in 2020 involving the Cassio 330’s electric-hybrid propulsion system. Safran Electrical & Power is to supply the propulsion system’s ENGINeUS 100 electric motor, which delivers a maximum power of more than 150kW at take-off.  The ENGINeUS 100 integrates its own control electronics as well as an air-cooling system, ensuring an optimal size-to-power ratio.

“We’ve selected Safran Electrical & Power based on the company’s expertise – particularly at high power levels,” explained Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and chief technology officer. “This marks another important step toward the Cassio 330’s certification and service entry.”

Serge Pons, general manager and executive vice president of the Interconnection Systems Eurasia division of Safran Electrical & Power, added: “Safran Electrical & Power's expertise is the result of many years of investment in research and development on high-power technology. Today, thanks to our technological building blocks for hybrid and 100% electric aircraft, we are actively contributing to the decarbonisation of aviation.”

The Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft family will be a highly capable and reliable product line for regional commercial operators, air taxi/charter companies, private owners, as well as in utility-category service for cargo, postal delivery and medical evacuation (Medevac) applications. Cassio will be produced in three versions: the five-seat Cassio 330; the Cassio 480 with six seats; and the 10-12-seat Cassio 600.

The VoltAero propulsion concept is unique: Cassio aircraft will utilize the ENGINeUS 100 electric motor in the aft fuselage-mounted hybrid propulsion unit for all-electric power during taxi, takeoff, primary flight (if the distance travelled is less than 150km.), and landing. The hybrid feature – with the internal combustion engine – acts as a range extender, recharging the batteries while in flight. Additionally, this hybrid element serves as a backup in the event of a problem with the electric propulsion.

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