ePlane Company has announced a partnership with German avionics manufacturer Hensoldt Avionics
Indian electric aircraft developer the ePlane Company has announced a partnership with German avionics manufacturer Hensoldt Avionics to supply and integrate avionics systems for its electric air taxi platform, the e200X eVTOL.
In a press statement, ePlane says that the agreement covers the integration of navigation, landing assistance and data connectivity systems that will form the core mission management architecture of the aircraft.
The company says that the collaboration is part of the transition of the e200X from subscale testing to a full-scale prototype.
The system is intended to help pilots operate in locations such as rooftop helipads
Based in Chennai, the ePlane Company is developing electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft aimed at urban air mobility. The integration of avionics from Hensoldt will provide navigation tools, traffic awareness and communication links needed for operations in city airspace.
The avionics package includes the EuroNav 7 Next Gen digital moving map system, which supports navigation and mission management. The system is designed to provide pilots with location data and situational awareness during urban operations, says the statement.
Landing assistance will be supported by CaviSight, a visual landing aid that manages camera feeds and provides video support during take-off and landing. The system is intended to help pilots operate in locations such as rooftop helipads.
The company says that to support traffic awareness, the aircraft will integrate the RF1 Smart Antenna system, which provides alerts about nearby aircraft and enables cooperative traffic monitoring. The aircraft will also use CaviConnect to establish a data link between the aircraft and ground systems for communication and monitoring.
According to the companies, the avionics integration will also include the EB1 Multipurpose Airborne Computer, which will process onboard data and run mission systems required for flight operations.
Engineers from both companies are working together to integrate the avionics systems with the aircraft’s flight architecture. The integration is intended to match the operational requirements of a compact eVTOL aircraft operating in urban environments.
The development is part of the e200X certification programme with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India. The company said the avionics architecture has completed its internal design stage as the aircraft moves toward the next phase of development.
“Building a certifiable eVTOL requires the flawless integration of highly advanced subsystems into a single, harmonious platform. By partnering with HENSOLDT, we are not just buying components; we are integrating a legacy of aviation safety into the DNA of the e200x. This avionics suite provides the comprehensive situational awareness required to operate safely in dense urban environments,” says Satya Chakravarthy, Founder & Technical Lead, the ePlane Company.
“We are proud to support ePlane in their mission to alleviate urban congestion. Our avionics are designed for the most demanding missions, and the operational profile of an eVTOL in India is the ultimate proving ground. Together, we are defining the standards for situational awareness in the Advanced Air Mobility sector,” says Michael Groeninger, Managing Director, Hensoldt Avionics.