NASA builds electric aircraft

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) introduced a new electric aircraft, equipped with 18 engines on the wings.

Aircraft model in the LEAPTech project. Photo: NASA

The aircraft has a wingspan of 9.4 m, the engines are powered by LiFePO 4 lithium iron phosphate batteries. It can fly at a speed of 321 km/h and reach an altitude of nearly 4,000 m. The aircraft has seating for 4 passengers and will fly about 720 km.

The 18 engines will help reduce drag at altitude and narrow the wing design. They can also be tuned to help reduce noise and consume less energy.

According to UPI, this vehicle is not ready for flight. NASA experts will test it by attaching the aircraft's wings to a truck and driving it across a dry lake bed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA.

NASA's LEAPTech aircraft engine research project began in 2014. "LEAPTech has the potential to be converted into a conventional civil aircraft as well as a means of long-term transportation," said aerodynamicist Mark Moore.

According to VnExpress