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The Union Civil Aviation Minister has said that the Government of India is exploring the possibility of inviting manufacturers of Electric Vertical Take off and Landing eVTOL aircraft to set up base in India.
Electric Vertical Take off and Landing eVTOL aircraft
- It was officially introduced by the Vertical Flight Society and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in 2014
- An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is one that uses electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically.
- Most eVTOLs also use what is called as distributed electric propulsion technology which means integrating a complex propulsion system with the airframe.
- This technology is the result of advances in electric propulsion based on advances in motor, battery, fuel cell, and electronic controller technologies, as well as the need for new vehicle technology that ensures urban air mobility (UAM)
- Thus, eVTOL is one of the newer technologies and developments in the aerospace industry.
How are Developments in eVTOLs being Made?
- The roles eVTOLs adopt depends on battery technology and the limits of onboard electric power.
- Power is required during the key phases of flight such as take off, landing and flight (especially in high wind conditions).
- There is also the important factor of weight
- BAE Systems, for example, is looking at formats using a variety of Lithium batteries.
- Nano Diamond Batteries is looking at “Diamond Nuclear Voltaic (DNV) technology” using minute amounts of carbon-14 nuclear waste encased in layered industrial diamonds to create self-charging batteries.
- There is even one that uses a gas-powered generator that powers a small aircraft engine, in turn charging the battery system.
Significance of eVTOL
- Cost Effective:as there will no requirement of runway and other infrastructure in air transport
- green energy and noise-free aircraft, cargo carrying concepts, and the need for new modes of transport.
- Reduction in road traffic and vehicular congestion in the cities. This will in turn also help to curb the air pollution in India.
- Development of electric mobility technology: May lead to push for new Investment, research and development
- The global market for eVTOLs was put at $8.5 million in 2021 and is to grow to $30.8 million by 2030.
What are the Challenges?
- As the technology so far is a mix of unpiloted and piloted aircraft, the areas in focus include “crash prevention systems”.
- These use cameras, radar, GPS (global positioning system) and infrared scanners.
- Issues such as ensuring safety in case of powerplant or rotor failure. Aircraft protection from cyberattacks is another area of focus.
- Navigation and flight safety and the use of technology when operating in difficult terrain, unsafe operating environments and also bad weather.
Pic Courtesy: The Hindu
Content Source: The Hindu