SONATA recruits CSA Catapult for aircraft taxiing system

This is developing an on-aircraft electric taxi system with regenerative braking and energy recovery. Such electric wheel taxiing allows aircraft to move on the ground using electric motors rather than main engines. In turn, reducing fuel burn, emissions, noise and brake wear during taxi operations.

The CSA Catapult describes project SONATA as a major step toward more sustainable, ultra-efficient aircraft operations. (SONATA stands for System Optimisation of Non-propulsive energy in Aircraft Taxi technologies and Architectures.)

Other organisations working on the project include Airbus, Evolito, DePe Gear, DSD, Magnomatics, the University of Southampton, Drive System Design and Denchi.

SiC

“We are enormously proud to be a key enabler of project SONATA through our development of custom silicon carbide power modules for aerospace applications,” said Caroline O’Brien, CEO of the Catapult, pictured. “This project combines our advanced R&D expertise, and our unique position in the semiconductor supply chain as the organisation that unlocks the wider ecosystem.”

“We combine Active Metal Brazed substrates (AMB) for high thermal conductivity, additive manufacturing for lightweight, compact structural components, and AI-driven design optimisation to achieve maximum power density and minimum thermal loss.”

She also highlighted that the CSA Catapult is designing, optimising, manufacturing and testing a bespoke SiC power module. This will be for integration into the system’s multilevel, multiphase aerospace inverter topology, targeting a 15 kW/kg power density.

SONATA

SONATA is a five-year project running to 2030. Its funded value is £20.2 million (you can see details of the funding split on the UKRI webpage).

The project is receiving funding from the ATI Programme. The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation. It works with the UK government and industry to improve the competitiveness of the UK aerospace sector. This is both technology leadership and funding.

Since 2014, the ATI Programme has invested £3.5 billion of joint government-industry funding in research and technology projects.

Aerospace sector

The UK’s Industry Minister, Chris McDonald, commented:

“This is government and business collaboration [to keep] the UK at the forefront of innovation in our world-class aerospace sector. And I look forward to seeing how Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult’s project can cut emissions and transform airport taxiing for the long term.”

“We’re boosting our support for the aerospace industry through our Modern Industrial Strategy – giving business the confidence it needs to invest in UK advanced manufacturing and sustainable aviation.”

See also: Caroline O’Brien becomes CEO of CSA Catapult and eyes growth