It was mid-2022 when Kansas-based Textron announced plans to revive its Nexus program after putting the hybrid-electric VTOL project on hold in 2021. If the company achieves its timeline, the Nexus is expected to be type certified around 2030 — more than a decade after Bell originally introduced the concept in 2019.
With a projected range of about 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) and top speeds of 120 knots (225 kilometers per hour), the Nexus design includes fixed- and tiltrotors — similar in some ways to the design of other eVTOL models coming to market, but stands apart in other ways, mainly in size.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 8,000 pounds (3,630 kilograms), it’s much heavier than any other eVTOL aircraft currently in development. With a comparatively-large payload capacity, the Nexus will be able to take on many tasks that the smaller eVTOLs can’t, but still carry out typical missions like passenger transport, with room for four passengers plus a pilot.
Few doubt the Nexus will reach market in due course, as Textron has certified many aircraft during the last decade. Wind tunnel testing for the Nexus started in July 2023 and flight testing of the first full-scale prototype is expected in 2024.
All of this work falls under the Textron eAviation division, of which long-time company executive Kriya Shortt took the helm as president and CEO in August 2023 from Rob Scholl. Shortt has held various positions at Textron, including president of its Able Aerospace Services and McCauley Propeller Systems divisions.
Shortt’s passion for aviation started when she was a teenager living in West Africa, where she experienced firsthand the necessity and convenience of general aviation as a primary mode of transportation and connection.
“For 27 years, I got to build on that interest as part of Cessna, then Textron Aviation, where I witnessed how our products enable customers to succeed,” she explained. “I was fortunate to be a part of teams focused on listening to customers’ motivations and delivering solutions that helped progress their personal and business goals.”
She said each facet of her career has shaped her for this current role, both in technical expertise and leadership capabilities.
“I have been most fortunate to have colleagues and leaders who have believed in me, mentored and encouraged me to take stretch assignments,” she shared. “As for traits that I believe are critical, my priorities are embracing challenges, listening to diverse perspectives, empowering teams, demonstrating humility, and holding each other accountable to solutions that execute on the mission at hand.”
The year ahead
In 2024, Textron eAviation will work to achieve key milestones for announced programs. This includes a successful first flight for the Pipistrel Nuuva, an exceptionally large autonomous drone.
“The Nuuva program is making considerable progress toward first flight,” Shortt reported. “Not only do we see this program being a leader in the segment of large, unmanned drone capabilities, but it also supports and enables the maturation of technology which will benefit the Nexus.”
The company will also continue work toward type certification of the Pipistrel Velis Electro and bringing the Panthera to market as a part 23 certified aircraft. Shorrt added that with the advancement of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule, Textron eAviation will be focusing on product development that lowers the cost of operation while improving the overall environmental impact.
Regarding the Nexus program, the engineering and manufacturing team is based at Textron eAviation’s headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, regularly collaborating with colleagues at Bell, Textron Aviation, Textron Systems and Pipistrel.
“Pipistrel is an expert in the field of battery electric propulsion and technology, having brought to market the world’s first certified electric aircraft,” Shortt said. “This will also be a key focus of our Nexus team as we continue to innovate in this space as the technology advances.”
Customer input
And as with any product Textron eAviation brings to market, there is strong focus to incorporate the voices of customers in the Nexus development. The customer advisory board (CAB) allows for collaboration between the Nexus team and key customers in a systematic and iterative manner, Shortt said.
The first member of Textron eAviation’s CAB is flyExclusive, and other key customers will be added to expand on the mission profiles the company believes will benefit from the Nexus. Shortt said participants in the Nexus CAB will provide input on pilot and passenger preferences, as well as items related to all aspects of operations, such as training, infrastructure and maintainability.
“We do not see the Nexus as a displacement of helicopters, but rather a market expansion opportunity,” she stated. “The goal of the Nexus program is to offer a solution designed with the customer use case in mind. eVTOL aircraft can work particularly well in urban environments due to noise restrictions and we see it fitting alongside other aircraft types, including helicopters. The Nexus eVTOL has the potential to serve a range of purposes, including passenger transport, cargo, and emergency medical services.”
Beyond batteries
While continued advancements in battery technology continues, other technology areas are also important to the development of the Nexus.
“As a company whose heritage is in designing, manufacturing, and certifying aircraft, we believe vertical integration of key technology is a key differentiator for the Nexus program,” Shortt said. “Specifically, the Nexus team of experts are focused on battery technology, tiltrotor systems, propeller design and cabin amenities.”
While the Nexus is planned right now to be fully electric, hybrid-electric solutions for the Nexus and other eAviation programs may be employed in the future.
Short explained that earlier this year, Pipistrel was a key participant in the European Union-funded Project Heaven, demonstrating the first flight of liquid hydrogen in an aircraft.
“The three-plus hour flight took place using one of Pipistrel’s test airframes,” she noted. “Our involvement in Project Heaven, along with other advanced research, may lead us to embrace a mix between battery, hybrid-electric, SAF-combustion engine, hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen combustion, each optimized to fit the mission profile of the aircraft.”
Indeed, Shortt believes the sustainable aviation of tomorrow will see more diversification of aircraft concepts, each adapted and optimized for their specific objective (by range, mission profile, intent), but intrinsically interacting with one another.
“We should not expect to see one-size-fits-most missions aircraft concepts, but rather a lineup of urban air mobility, regional air mobility, short-medium-haul and long-haul optimized products that are each propelled by the most appropriate clean powertrain option,” she said.
Poised for success
Shortt believes Textron eAviation is at the forefront of aviation innovation.
“We are poised to leverage our decades of experience in designing and certifying products with our passion for interweaving the voices of customers to focus on bringing to market differentiated products to serve the evolving needs of customers and the industry,” she said.
On a personal level, she added that “to be able to lean into everything that we know as a company and create an environment focused on sustainability and the future of flight is something I am very enthusiastic about.”