Heart Aerospace Unveils US R&D Hub for Hybrid-Electric Aviation

Heart Aerospace, a Swedish manufacturer of hybrid-electric airplanes, has inaugurated a new Research and Development (R&D) center in Los Angeles, California. This strategic decision signifies a crucial phase in the advancement of its inaugural regional hybrid-electric aircraft, the ES-30.

The ES-30, Heart Aerospace's flagship regional hybrid-electric aircraft, is designed to accommodate 30 passengers. It offers a fully electric, zero-emission range of 200 kilometers, and an extended hybrid range of 400 kilometers, making it a promising solution for sustainable short-haul travel. The ES-30 is expected to significantly reduce emissions and operational costs for regional airlines.

The Los Angeles R&D center will concentrate primarily on refining Heart Aerospace’s hybrid-electric propulsion system and other pivotal technologies crucial to sustainable aviation. As part of this endeavor, Heart Aerospace will transfer its full-scale aircraft demonstrator to the US to demonstrate the viability of its hybrid propulsion system. This relocation aims to foster closer collaboration with technology partners and streamline the testing and development procedures.

To spearhead the US R&D center, Heart Aerospace has appointed Benjamin Stabler as Chief Technology Officer. Stabler previously held roles leading hardware and software teams on the Crew Dragon program at SpaceX and as a co-founder of Parallel Systems, a company specializing in automated, battery-electric freight rail vehicles. 

“We are working on a solution we call independent hybrid propulsion, and we aim to demonstrate electric flight during next year,” said Anders Forslund, Co-founder and CEO, Heart Aerospace.

Forslund further emphasized the importance of this new phase, “The establishment of our US R&D hub signifies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in aviation. We have an exciting time ahead of us as we enter a new phase of hardware testing, and I am thrilled that Ben is joining our team. His experience and passion for innovation is just what Heart needs to advance on our mission to decarbonize and democratize air travel.”

Despite its expanded presence in the United States, Heart Aerospace will maintain its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, where it will continue its endeavors to achieve type certification for the ES-30 by 2028.

Heart Aerospace has already secured 250 orders for the ES-30, with options and purchase rights for an additional 120 aircraft. Additionally, the company has received letters of intent for another 191 aircraft, indicating strong market interest and confidence in the ES-30’s potential to revolutionize regional air travel.