EPFD Statement of Objectives.pdf

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

Flight Demonstration of MW-Class Powertrain Systems for Commercial Transports

NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center

January 25, 2021

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Armstrong Flight Research Center Edwards, California

Electric Aircraft Propulsion Flight Demonstrator Revision B

Table of Contents

I. Background ………………………………………... 2

II. Program/Project Needs, Goals, and Objectives ………… 2

III. Contract Objectives …………………………………… 4

IV. Management Objectives ……………………………….. 5

I. Background

In alignment with the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) of the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, NASA conducts research to identify and mature promising technology that enables subsonic commercial transport aircraft that have lower operating costs, lower mission fuel burn with reduced carbon and NOX footprints, and reduced community noise.

Integrated electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) concepts, under development by NASA and Industry for well over a decade, are rapidly emerging as potentially transformative concepts as applied to propulsion systems for subsonic transport vision systems. Vision system studies have shown that EAP concepts may provide significant benefits for airline operators and the flying public. Thin haul, regional, and single-aisle market penetration are target opportunities identified by NASA and U.S. Industry.

For reference, the vision systems of interest to this effort are commercial transport concepts that are expected to enter the U.S. air transportation system in the 2030 to 2035 timeframe.

II. Program/Project Needs, Goals, Objectives

NASA is investigating the utilization of flight demonstrations to rapidly mature and transition integrated EAP technologies and associated EAP-based vision systems for introduction into the US fleet no later than 2035. At the Agency level, this effort supports research that has high potential to catalyze economic growth. At the Aeronautics Mission Directorate level, this effort supports research to realize revolutionary improvements in economics and environmental performance for subsonic transports with opportunities to transition to alternative propulsion and energy.

To support Agency stated goals, this effort is being formulated by ARMD to directly support the following stated ARMD Critical Commitment:

Demonstrate practical vehicle-level integration of MW-class Electrified Aircraft Propulsion (EAP) systems, leveraging advanced airframe systems to reinvigorate the regional and emerging smaller (thin haul) aircraft markets and strengthen the single-aisle aircraft market.

To this end, commercial subsonic transport vision system developments are under study by NASA and Industry that may meet or exceed Subsonic Transport (Vision) System Level Metrics shown in Table 1, taken directly from the NASA Aeronautics Mission Directorate SIP (2019). Research activities across a range of technology readiness levels (TRL) are underway at NASA to meet this commitment. This particular effort, the flight demonstration of integrated MW-class powertrain system developments, is focused on enabling vision systems to directly support achievement of the Aircraft Fuel/Energy Consumption Mid-Term Goal. Data acquired in this effort will be used to validate the benefits of integrated MW-class powertrain system technology through ongoing vision system studies conducted by NASA and Industry, and results and progress will be communicated to stakeholders on a regular basis.

Table 1. Subsonic Transport System Level Metrics

NASA is formulating the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project to meet the following needs, goals, and objectives.

Needs Conduct at least two integrated MW-class powertrain system ground and flight demonstrations with U.S. Industry to:

- Accelerate integrated MW-class powertrain system maturation and transition to the U.S.

fleet

- Identify and retire barrier technical and integration risks associated with commercial transports utilizing integrated MW-class powertrain systems

- Identify and address gaps in regulations and standards associated with commercial transports utilizing integrated MW-class powertrain systems

- Acquire necessary ground and flight test data to advance design and modelling tools pertinent to EAP-based vision systems and to validate technical performance measures of the integrated MW-class powertrain systems

Goals and Objectives

- Goal 1 - Collaborate with US Industry and other NASA projects on EAP development, flight testing, flight test instrumentation, and range support o Objective - Develop partnership agreements, including contractual arrangements with US Industry for EAP technology development and flight testing to enable rapid technology transition to the US fleet

- Goal 2 - Conduct necessary ground demonstrations of integrated electrified aircraft propulsions systems with US Industry to support flight test o Objective - Conduct technology maturation and risk reduction ground testing of integrated MW-class powertrain system components and system to support flight testing

- Goal 3 - Conduct flight testing of a crewed aircraft with an electrified aircraft propulsion powertrain system with US Industry.

o Objective - Flight demonstrate technologies for practical vehicle level integration of high-power electrified aircraft propulsion system maturation

- Goal 4 - If possible, within specified timeframe and budget, allow for spiral developments of EAP technology o Objective - If possible, within specified timeframe and budget, provide a flexible system architecture to demonstrate additional emerging technology with flight test insertions

- Goal 5 - Will plan ground and flight test campaigns to provide appropriate data to establish standards to address gaps in certification requirements o Objective - Collaborate with NASA personnel and US Industry to identify and address regulation and standards gaps through ground and/or flight testing

III. Contract Objectives

Plan, manage, and conduct appropriate ground tests and flight tests of an integrated MW-class Powertrain System that enables the offeror’s vision system, that meets described needs, goals and objectives shown above, and that is in alignment with system and data requirements defined in the System Requirements Document (SRD) and Data Requirements Document (DRD) (both documents provided).

• Technical progress will be continuously monitored and measured consistent with the technical performance measures (TPMs) shown in Table 2 and progress will be regularly reported to stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. It is expected that the TPMs will be used to translate integrated MW-class powertrain system benefits to vision system performance in terms of Subsonic System Level metrics shown in Table 1.

The products of this effort are data and data-related intellectual property. The required test data and management of data-related intellectual property are described in the Data and Intellectual Property Management Plan (provided).

Note that NASA will not be providing any hardware and will not take possession of any hardware associated with the ground and flight demonstrations.

• Project Status Meetings will be held bi-weekly to status contract activities, highlighting changes to technical, risk, cost, or schedule items and providing data for NASA to update the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).

c. Reporting:

• Written reports associated with specific reviews, technical progress, and programmatic status are to be delivered in two versions. One will be written with government purpose rights and one will be written with unlimited rights. Reports will be provided as specified by the Data Requirements Document.