Technology & Innovation
Drive System Design Joins UK InCEPTion Project for Electric Aviation
Drive System Design contributes electric motor and inverter development to UK’s InCEPTion consortium for modular electric aircraft propulsion.
This article is based on an official press release from Drive System Design.
Drive System Design (DSD), a global engineering consultancy specializing in electrified propulsion, has announced its participation in a major UK government-backed aerospace initiative. Known as InCEPTion (Integrated Flight Control, Energy Storage and Propulsion Technologies for Electric Aviation), the project aims to develop a scalable, modular electric propulsion unit (EPU) capable of powering the next generation of Electric-Aviation.
According to the company’s announcement, the project is led by Blue Bear Systems Research and funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and Innovate UK. The consortium brings together industrial and academic leaders to create a “uniquely packaged and highly integrated propulsion module” suitable for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, large cargo drones, and sub-regional aircraft carrying up to 30 passengers.
Within the InCEPTion consortium, DSD is tasked with developing the critical components of the electric powertrain: the electric motor and the power electronics (inverter). The engineering challenge lies in the strict weight and volume constraints required for aerospace applications. The components must be extremely compact and lightweight while maintaining high efficiency and reliability.
To achieve these goals, DSD stated it is utilizing its proprietary simulation tool, ePOP (electrified Powertrain Optimisation Process). Originally developed for the automotive sector, this tool allows engineers to simulate thousands of powertrain variations virtually. By modeling different combinations of voltage, winding configurations, and thermal management strategies, the team can identify the optimal system architecture before physical prototyping begins.
“Development of a stand-alone electric propulsion unit for the aerospace industry is a fascinating project that poses many novel challenges… our motor and inverter will play a critical role in meeting the efficiency and mass requirements.”
, John Morton, Engineering Director at Drive System Design
A distinct aspect of DSD’s contribution involves Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) analysis. In collaboration with the University of Salford’s Acoustics Research Centre, the team is studying not just the volume of noise generated by the electric motors, but its quality, a field known as psycho-acoustics.
As electric aircraft are expected to operate closer to urban centers and residential areas than traditional aircraft, ensuring the sound profile is not irritating to passengers or ground communities is a key design parameter. The project aims to validate these designs at DSD’s test centre in Leamington Spa, which houses independent electrified propulsion testing facilities. The InCEPTion project represents a collaborative effort across the UK aerospace supply chain. In addition to DSD and lead partner Blue Bear Systems Research, the consortium includes:
Murray Edington, Head of Electrified Powertrain at DSD, emphasized the importance of a simulation-led approach to avoid costly iterations later in the development cycle.
“Too often, a push to be first-to-market ends up incurring more cost and time… Ultimately, this approach will enable our customers to be first-time capable.”
, Murray Edington, Head of Electrified Powertrain at DSD
While the InCEPTion project was initially announced in early 2021, its relevance has grown as the UK accelerates its “Jet Zero” strategy, which targets zero-emission aviation by 2050. The modular approach taken by the consortium addresses a significant bottleneck in the electric aviation market: the lack of standardized, scalable propulsion units that can be adapted for different airframes.
Furthermore, the corporate landscape for Drive System Design has evolved since the project’s launch. In December 2022, DSD was acquired by Hinduja Tech, a global engineering services company. This acquisition suggests that the intellectual property and technical capabilities developed during projects like InCEPTion are now backed by a larger global infrastructure, potentially accelerating the commercialization of these electric propulsion technologies in both the automotive and aerospace sectors.
What is the InCEPTion project? What is DSD’s role in the project? Who funds the project?
Drive System Design Joins UK ‘InCEPTion’ Consortium to Advance Electric Aviation
Developing the Heart of the Electric Powertrain
Focus on Psycho-acoustics and NVH
Consortium Partners and Strategic Goals
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
InCEPTion stands for Integrated Flight Control, Energy Storage and Propulsion Technologies for Electric Aviation. It is a UK government-funded project to develop modular electric propulsion units for aircraft.
Drive System Design is responsible for designing and developing the electric motor and power electronics (inverter), focusing on high power density and efficiency.
The project is funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and Innovate UK.
Sources
Photo Credit: Drive System Design