In this What's New in Aerospace program, NASA’s Nicholas Borer will talk about the X-57 “Maxwell,” an all-electric experimental aircraft. Today, electrically-powered aircraft are starting to take flight, and the X-57 flight demonstrator is designed to showcase one way electric power can shape new airplanes through a technology called Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP). Borer will discuss the benefits of DEP, which can include up to a fivefold increase in cruise efficiency, zero in-flight emissions, and a complete change in how these airplanes sound. The X-57 will fly in three progressively different configurations, ultimately finishing as a fully electric, 14-motor DEP aircraft.

This program is made possible through the generous support of Boeing.