"Maxwell".....NASA X 57 ..Distributed thrust.

Hillhater

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Cought a brief review of this on TV yesterday and thought it a little different to most ePlane approaches.
I dont recall it being mentioned here before ?
https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/nasas-x-57-electric-research-plane
.....With 14 electric motors turning propellers and all of them integrated into a uniquely-designed wing, NASA will test new propulsion technology using an experimental airplane now designated the X-57 and nicknamed “Maxwell.” .....
...... NASA Aeronautics researchers will use the Maxwell to demonstrate that electric propulsion can make planes quieter, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.

“With the return of piloted X-planes to NASA’s research capabilities – which is a key part of our 10-year-long New Aviation Horizons initiative – the general aviation-sized X-57 will take the first step in opening a new era of aviation,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, during his keynote speech Friday in Washington at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) annual Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition.

NASA’s aeronautical innovators hope to validate the idea that distributing electric power across a number of motors integrated with an aircraft in this way will result in a five-time reduction in the energy required for a private plane to cruise at 175 mph.
 
The concept of many small motors on a fixed wing aircraft really makes sense when configured like this thing. That tiny (narrow chord anyway) wing is being "blown" by prop thrust along it's entire length, and thus generating more lift. Lots of motors and rotors on some of the big drone type aircraft don't/can't do that.
 
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