Ali Hussain 22/10/16

HEADLINE: Siemens Reaches New Heights with Record-Breaking Electric Motor

STANDFIRST: The month of June saw German powerhouse Siemens making a major breakthrough with the first flight
of an Extra 330LE aerobatic plane that achieved a power output of 260 kilowatts. Solidifying their budding
relationship with Airbus, hybrid-electric aircrafts are on the horizon.

BODY COPY: Siemens launched their electric-powered aircraft, the Extra 330LE aerobatic plane with a newly
designed SP260D motor, which took off on its maiden flight at Schwarze Heide Airport near Dinslaken, Germany in
the month of June. The motor produces a remarkable 340 hp (260 kW) while only weighing 110 lbs. (50 kg). The
hybrid engine in this aircraft actually operates quite similarly to a Toyota Prius; a conventional battery-operated
electric motor is used to enhance a fuel-burning combustion engine. The electric motor performs impressively at
various speeds as it is able to drive the propeller of the aircraft at 2500 RPM resulting in 1000 Nm of torque without
requiring a gear box.

Siemens will be collaborating with Airbus in expanding the development of electrically powered aircraft. They will be
using the SP260D motor as a platform to start developing regional airliners that are powered by hybrid-electric
propulsion systems and that can carry up to a 100 passengers at a range of about a 1000 kilometers. Both companies
plan on using a fuel-powered generator to provide energy to the electric motor, which will allow them to run at their
motors at consistent RPMs. The batteries present on-board the aircraft will be able to provide extra power for take-
off. If this system is run efficiently it can result in a 25% decrease in fuel consumption, making the electrically
powered aircraft more economical.

Siemens Chief Technology Officer Siegfried Russwurm said To continue this journey successfully, we need disruptive
ideas and the courage to take risks. Now we just have to wait and see whether these risks pay off and what heights
Siemens and Airbus are able to reach with their partnership.

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