SAE Update - November 2022 - 9

TECH FOCUS:
SmArT CiTiES
The E-40 Electrified
Propulsion Committee (chaired
by Richard Ambroise, Lilium)
published two new documents
this summer that are
foundational documents that
align terminology and base-line
a foundation for consistent
communication and future
developments. This active
committee is continuing its work,
now focusing on safety,
endurance testing, and
considerations for ground
support operations.
With the use of new and more
powerful forms of electric
propulsion in aviation comes the
needs for higher power and
voltages. Higher voltages create
numerous new challenges
involving the propulsion system,
wiring, insulation, safety,
charging, etc. The AE-10 High
Voltage Committee (chaired by-
Thomas Taylor, Boeing) is
helping to address these new
challenges.
Along with electrification,
hydrogen and fuel cell
technology are also developing
closely with AAM as another
alternative to traditional fuels.
With battery technologies'
current weight-to-energy ratios,
hydrogen is poised to have a
UPDATE
great impact at longer distances. Hydrogen presents
several challenges, both in terms of the aircraft as
well as of the infrastructure to support them. SAE's
AE-7F committee (chaired by Massod Sadeghi,
Dynamic Aerospace Services) is working with
EUROCAE WG-80 to help advance these technologies
and help solve these challenges.
It's exciting to see all the different new designs from
the UAM/AAM realm. Some of these designs are
pushing the boundaries on structures and materials
to save weight and increase performance. To
accomplish this, new manufacturing techniques, new
materials, and new uses for existing products abound.
SAE has multiple committees and subcommittees
that are working on some of the key aspects, such as
additive manufacturing, composite repair, and
polymer matrix composites.
Of paramount concern for everyone involved in
AAM is, of course, safety. New designs, new
technology, flying new mission profiles require that
care is taken to safely design, test, and operate these
aircraft. The SAE S-18 Aircraft & Systems
Development and Safety Assessment Committee
(chaired by Robert Voros, Merlin Labs) develops and
maintains guidelines for processes, methods, and
tools to accomplish the development and safety
assessments of aircraft, systems, and related
equipment. AIR7209 (sponsored by Craig McMillian,
GE Aviation) was published in early October and
provides a minimum set of safety principles for
aircraft and system development. This document
provides a basis to apply to emerging technologies
where existing techniques are not effective and
alternative strategies are not documented in industry
guidance.
An exciting aspect to the future of UAM/AAM is the
November 2022
9
https://www.sae.org/standards/content/air7209/
SAE Update - November 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SAE Update - November 2022
