Elysian Aircraft has completed the second design iteration of its all-electric E9X airliner, reducing electromotors from eight to six while extending the wingspan to 50 meters. This revision increases maximum takeoff weight to 82.5 tonnes and supports 88 to 100 passengers over 400 nautical miles, covering 50 percent of the global air network.
The updated design incorporates folding wingtips, enabling a 36-meter span for ICAO Category C gates. Batteries integrate directly into the wing structure, simplifying the configuration and allowing cleaner aerodynamics near the tips.
Key changes followed a successful Conceptual Design Review and flight tests on a 4-meter scale model. Maximum takeoff weight rose from 76 tonnes, with range potentially extending to 540 nautical miles using advanced batteries.
Elysian now advances to preliminary design via demonstrators, including a full-scale wing mock-up for battery integration, a power distribution rig, and a battery demonstrator. These efforts shift from feasibility to technology maturation, enhancing operational viability for battery-electric regional flights.