Scaling hydrogen-electric aircraft
Stralis Aircraft, established in July 2021, is on a mission to become the world's leading emission-free aircraft company. The company focuses on designing high-performance, low-cost hydrogen electric aircraft that can be produced at scale. Central to their innovation is the development of a Hydrogen Electric Propulsion System (HEPS), which includes a turbocharged, next-generation High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cell system. Stralis’s vision is to revolutionise the aviation industry by integrating cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices.
Challenge
Stralis faced several challenges. The company needed to accelerate its prototype iteration speed, identify local manufacturing partners, and assess the feasibility of some custom engineering side projects. However, Stralis had limited internal bandwidth to advance these, in particular early-stage design-for-manufacture support. Additionally, a limited global supplier base for their unique technology posed a significant hurdle. These challenges are important to address to ensure the successful development and scaling of their innovative aircraft technology.
Approach
Stralis engaged with the Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Network (AMCN) through the Industry Growth Program (IGP) to access manufacturing expertise to help address these challenges. AMCN experts conducted an assessment of Stralis's needs and provided tailored recommendations and referrals. Key recommendations included leveraging ARM Hub's prototyping infrastructure and engineering expertise to progress side projects, such as high-temperature pumps and cryogenic systems. Stralis was also encouraged to explore opportunities with the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) to investigate additive manufacturing-based innovation projects. Furthermore, initiating early design-for-manufacture reviews with ARM Hub and AMCN partners was recommended to reduce redesign risks and improve readiness for local production.
Outcome
The engagement with AMCN and the subsequent recommendations, provided Stralis with guidance to help overcome its challenges. By partnering with ARM Hub, Stralis can gain access to advanced prototyping tools and engineering support, that could enable them to progress critical R&D projects. The exploration of AMCRC opportunities could open new avenues for innovation and collaboration in additive manufacturing. Although the establishment of local manufacturing partnerships was deferred until the completion of Stralis's existing projects, the groundwork has been laid for future collaborations. The strategic guidance and support from AMCN and its partners will help position Stralis to advance its mission of leading the aviation industry towards a sustainable, emission-free future.
