Dufour Aerospace announces selection of Air Energy as partner for battery modules

^{From left to right: Monika Rentemeister (Managing Director Air Energy Development GmbH), Christoph Schäper (Managing Director Air Energy Development GmbH), Simon Bendrey (Head of Design Dufour Aerospace), Darren McDonald (Head of Quality Dufour Aerospace).}

^‍‍Zurich, October 2, 2023: Dufour Aerospace is pleased to announce that Air Energy has been selected as a supplier for the smart battery packs for the hybrid-electric propulsion system of the uncrewed tilt-wing aircraft Aero2. Air Energy will design the battery housing, the mechanical and electrical connection of the battery packs and the battery management system for the Aero2.

Jasmine Kent, Co-founder and CTO of Dufour Aerospace says: “Aero2 is a hybrid VTOL aircraft, so batteries are a critical component, and it was very important to us that we find the right partner. Air Energy has an outstanding track record of supplying high performance battery systems for light aircraft, and we are proud to select them to provide the battery modules for Aero2. Each module has its own battery management system (BMS), enabling in-flight charging of the batteries, allowing us to approach the landing zone with a full charge and maximum performance. It also enables rapid touch-and-go ground turnaround, without having to wait between flights for recharging. We are excited to partner with Air Energy on the supply of these critical power modules for our first production aircraft.”

Christoph Schäper, Managing Director at Air Energy, says: “It is a great pleasure for us being selected by Dufour to supply the smart battery packs for Aero2. The entire team is excited to join forces with such an exceptionally professional, ambitious and dynamic partner. We strongly believe in the concept of the envisioned Aero2 drone and look forward to contributing to its success in the coming years. Air Energy will bring in its experience in battery and BMS development gained over the last 30 years. Within the past decade, Air Energy focused increasingly on development and production of drone batteries. By the end of 2023, we will have produced over 1500 batteries, all of them protected by BMS systems developed in house. In our strive to become a leading manufacturer of drone and aircraft batteries, it is important for us to partner with the most dynamic and innovative companies. The cooperation with Dufour Aerospace will be a perfect match.”

About Air Energy
Air Energy was founded in 1992 for the development of aself-launching electric Sailplane. From its very beginning the company isdedicated to the implementation of new battery concepts into practicalapplications. Airborne systems have always been a major focus for us. Since2003, we develop and produce smart battery systems based on Li-Ion cells forspecialised and exceptional applications. Our batteries have been developed forautomotive prototyping (e. g. BMW concept cars), experimental aircafts (e.g.Solar Impulse), underwater and airborne drones, VTOL/STOL aircraft and more. Wecontinuously develop new ideas and produce customised solutions with high demandson performance, quality and reliability. The Air Energy team works hand-in-handon the mechanical design, electronics and software of the battery so thateverything is perfectly coordinated. Our service portfolio extends from designand realisation of prototypes, initial sampling and commissioning to theproduction of high quality series products.
airenergy.de‍

About Dufour Aerospace
Dufour Aerospace develops efficient and ecologicalaircraft for patient and passenger transport, logistics and public safety.Dufour Aerospace’s designs currently under development rely on the tilt-wingprinciple. They take-off and land vertically in the smallest space like ahelicopter but fly as fast and economically as an airplane. While thepropellers are electric-driven, hybrid elements (conventional combustionengines or fuel cells) ensure a sufficiently long range. The first productDufour Aerospace will launch is the Aero2, an uncrewed aerial vehiclespecifically designed for the transportation of critical cargo such as medicalsupplies of up to 40 kilograms/88 pounds in medium to long range distances. Themanned Aero3, featuring a spacious cabin with eight seats and large doors, isthe next aircraft in development by Dufour Aerospace.
‍dufour.aero‍