NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT)

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NEAT

NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed

The NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) is an aeronautics test site at the forefront of sustainable aviation research and development. Located at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio, NEAT provides end-to-end ground testing of megawatt (MW)-scale electrified aircraft powertrains to demonstrate next-generation hybrid and turboelectric commercial aircraft capabilities. 

Quick Facts

NEAT can simulate altitudes of up to 60,000 feet.

NEAT can simulate altitudes of up to 60,000 feet.

NEAT is large enough to test a 737-class commercial aircraft powertrain.

NEAT is large enough to test a 737-class commercial aircraft powertrain.
A white building surrounded by external equipment in front of a blue sky with clouds.
The NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) in Sandusky, Ohio provides a unique environment that simulates the effects of flight altitude levels. This allows researchers to safely test and evaluate electrified system and component performance under extreme conditions experienced during flight without leaving the ground.
NASA

Overview

Designed with a reconfigurable architecture, NEAT offers a safer and more cost-effective approach to maturing electrified aircraft propulsion technologies while remaining on the ground. 

The testbed is built to accommodate single-aisle commercial airliners and provides a unique environment for industry, academia, and government to perform both individual and integrated tests of electrical powertrain systems and components under realistic flight conditions. 

With increased voltages and significant power loads, future electrified aircraft will face new challenges in effectively managing onboard heat and electricity at high altitudes. Full-scale powertrain testing capabilities at NEAT allow researchers to evaluate the impacts of system and component interactions on overall aircraft performance, ensuring safety and reliability when eventually taken to the skies. 

Capabilities 

Powertrain Ground Testing

NEAT’s testing capabilities focus on improving electrified aircraft powertrain performance, including thermal and fault management, system communication, and electromagnetic interference standards. The facility’s main test area is large enough to accommodate the power system for a single-aisle aircraft carrying up to 180 passengers and can test various systems and components including electric motors and generators, control systems, fault management, and power. 

Altitude Chamber

NEAT’s altitude chamber operates at various flight altitudes and enables unique testing of electrified aircraft powertrain components under simulated, controlled flight scenarios including takeoff, cruise, and landing. 

Electrical Power

NEAT features alternating current (AC), direct current (DC), and bidirectional DC power for powertrain testing, as well as additional systems to further evaluate powertrain reliability, including load banks to generate electrical loads, ground loops with multiple paths of electrical flow, and batteries. 

Electrical Machine Testing 

As MW-class electric machines are incorporated in aircraft powertrains, NEAT provides the opportunity to test machine reliability and capabilities at high altitudes. The research systems brought to NEAT are paired with the existing test equipment through a mechanical connection and gearboxes. This configuration allows for a range of research operating voltages and speeds. 

Support Systems 

NEAT offers several support systems for powertrain testing, including a cooling system and instrument air – or clean, compressed air – and gearbox pressurization systems that provide air to the gearbox and additional equipment. 

NEAT in the News

Stay up-to-date with testing progress at NEAT.

A man wearing a mask inspects electrified aircraft propulsion components inside a test rig filled with various equipment and orange cables.

NASA, GE Complete Historic Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Tests

Under NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, GE Aerospace completed the first-ever high power and high voltage hybrid electric system test with flight level altitudes at NEAT. Read more about this milestone which will help pave the way for future flight tests of electrified aircraft systems in the journey to sustainable aviation.

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A man in a flannel shirt and jeans accesses a control panel in a room full of wires, cables, and other equipment. He sets up an electric engine for altitude tests that will eventually become part of a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system.

NASA, MagniX Altitude Tests Lay Groundwork for Hybrid Electric Planes

Engineers at magniX completed initial testing of a new electric aircraft engine at flight altitude levels as part of NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. Learn more on how these tests will help lay the groundwork for future hybrid electric commercial aircraft.  

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Two men stand in front of a machine interpreting data inside NEAT.

It’s Electric! NASA Glenn Engineers Test Next Revolution Aircraft

During NEAT’s first test, researchers used 600 volts of electricity and successfully tested an electrical power system that could realistically power a small, one or two person aircraft. Read more about the research capabilities with this testbed.

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Media

10 Images
A top-down view of a large test building housing various monitors, desks, machinery, and cables. Two people sit at a desk monitoring data on computer screens while two other people operate different equipment inside the facility.
A large room with a testing rig surrounded by various wires, cables, and hardware for electrified aircraft propulsion system testing.
The inside of a large room with white walls, windows, and various hardware and testing equipment spread across the floor.
The inside of a large building with a high ceiling with hanging lights, white walls, and open floor space.
10 researchers from NASA and magniX pose outside of the NEAT facility. The large, white building is seen on the right under a blue sky with clouds in the background.
Two men and a women sit at a desk surrounded by laptops and video monitors displaying testing data.
A side view of a white building with a tall metal pole sticking out of the top, large metal cylinder equipment next to it, and a blue sky with clouds in the background.
Three men work inside a building surrounded by machinery, monitors, and various equipment.
A man standing inside a test facility makes adjustments to testing equipment surrounded by various wires, cables, and metal hardware.
A man walks inside a large test room surrounded by hardware, cables, and metal equipment.

Resources

A blue circle with white type displaying the NASA acronym encircled by a white swoosh and a red arrow.

Publications

Explore and download a collection of publications to learn more about NEAT’s testing capabilities.

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A rendering showing a front view of a single-aisle aircraft with eight electric engines under each wing flying across a blue sky. The words “SUSAN Electrofan” and “PAX 180” are displayed along the side of the fuselage, along with the NASA insignia on the side and tail of the aircraft.

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