Rolls-Royce claims to have developed the world's fastest all-electric aircraft

[berkeman]

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/...st-electric-aircraft-intl-scli-gbr/index.html

London (CNN) — British aero engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce says it has developed the "world's fastest all-electric aircraft," according to a statement from the company.

The aircraft -- dubbed the "Spirit of Innovation" -- attained a maximum speed of 387.4 mph (623km/h) in flight, which Rolls-Royce said it believed makes it "the world's fastest all-electric vehicle."

Rolls-Royce said in a press statement the Spirit of Innovation set three world records in total, including reaching 345.4 mph over 1.86 miles on 16 November. The company also said the vehicle achieved the fastest time to ascend 3000 meters by one minute, with a time of 202 seconds.

It looks like it has several innovations to help set these speed and time-to-altitude records, including the battery pack:

 

[berkeman]

Anybody know what that thing is that is sticking down in the 2nd picture below the engine compartment? It doesn't look like it's extended in the first picture while in flight...

 

[Lnewqban]

Anybody know what that thing is that is sticking down in the 2nd picture below the engine compartment? It doesn't look like it's extended in the first picture while in flight...

Those seem to be the two covers of the wheels.
Each of them should pivot from the center line of the airplane out and up until getting flush with the lower surface of the wing.
Note how the half-cover attached to the right hand landing gear only reaches up to the top of the wheel.

I see a resemblance between this electrical plane and the shape of the Howard Hughes H1 Racer.

 

[anorlunda]

I don't know how fast it is, but those lines are beautiful. It's a work of art.

 

[berkeman]

Those seem to be the two covers of the wheels.

Ah, perfect! Thanks

 

[dlgoff]

View attachment 292773
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/...st-electric-aircraft-intl-scli-gbr/index.html
It looks like it has several innovations to help set these speed and time-to-altitude records, including the battery pack:

View attachment 292780

I'm definitely going to send this to my pilot daughter. Thanks of this.

 

[berkeman]

Oh great, now she's going to push the envelope in a different direction...

 

[dlgoff]

Oh great, now she's going to push the envelope in a different direction...

Yes. That's what she does. Must have some of my DNA.

 

[Tom.G]

Oh great, now she's going to push the envelope in a different direction...

Of course! That's how our species progresses!

 

[Klystron]

Those seem to be the two covers of the wheels.

Correct, commonly called fairings; intended to reduce drag while in flight.

I don't know how fast it is, but those lines are beautiful. It's a work of art.

My first thought, also. The 'lines' of the aircraft outer skin in the first photo remind me of the gentle swelling (entasis) of Grecian columns in classical architecture.

The second photo taken from behind the grounded aircraft make the airplane appear tail heavy, particularly the large vertical stabilizer (tail fin). Compensation for heavy batteries that, unlike liquid fuels, do not reduce in weight during operation?