68 As advancements in electric aviation outpace those in battery energy density, new designs for lightweight, hybrid-electric powertrains are gaining attention for combining the specific energy of liquid fuel with the specific power of batteries, and the flexibility and controllability of electric motors. LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions (LaunchPoint EPS, or just LaunchPoint) understands well the strengths and weaknesses of the many different technologies across hybrid powertrains. Though spun out as a business entity recently, in 2020, it carries 32 years of expertise and research from its parent company, LaunchPoint Technologies (LPT). “LPT was originally founded in 1992 as a sort of think-tank, then called Magnetic Moments, by the trio of Brad Getting the technology mix right is paramount in designing hybrid-electric powertrains, as Rory Jackson finds out The sum of its parts The HPS400 is a 40 kW hybrid-electric powertrain that has been engineered over the last 10-12 years for large, hovering or VTOL-transitioning UAVs in professional applications (Images courtesy of LaunchPoint Electric Propulsion Solutions) June/July 2024 | Uncrewed Systems Technology
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