German zero-emission aircraft developer Vaeridion is to flight test its advanced battery system on the Dornier 328-based UpLift flying testbed operated by the country’s DLR aerospace research centre.
The move was disclosed as part of a broader collaboration agreement with Deutsche Aircraft, which is the type certificate holder for the D328.
Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), the pair will work together on a variety of research and technology and development topics related to sustainable aviation.
This will see Deutsche Aircraft supporting Vaeridion “in their pursuit of flight testing their advanced battery technology on the UpLift flying testbed”, it says.
Oberpfaffenhofen-based Deutsche Aircraft will additionally contribute its expertise in structural design, industrialisation and testing to the development of Vaeridion’s nine-seat Microliner aircraft.
“This MoU marks a pivotal moment in our journey toward emission-free regional flights,” says Markus Kochs-Kamper, chief technology officer and managing director of Vaeridion.
“By uniting our technological expertise with Deutsche Aircraft’s long-standing engineering excellence and design quality, we aim to accelerate the Microliner programme.”
Although headquartered in central Munich, Vaeridion has an expanding presence at Oberpfaffenhofen having recently acquired a battery production facility on the airfield site that formerly belonged to defunct electric air taxi developer Lilium.
Deutsche Aircraft has its own development programme under way, building what it calls the D328eco, a stretched and re-engined version of the original D328 twin-turboprop. First flight of the initial prototype is due this year.
The DLR and the OEM have been preparing the UpLift aircraft to serve as a flying laboratory for the aerospace industry to test new climate-friendly fuel and propulsion technologies under real-world conditions.
In addition to the new pact, Vaeridion has been exploring the possibility of testing its batteries in conjunction with French electric aircraft developer Aura Aero.
