Jet Propulsion for Urban Air Mobility: A Technical Playbook

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is a rapidly evolving field that holds immense potential for transforming the way we move within and between cities. At the heart of this revolution lies jet propulsion, a technology that promises to unlock new levels of performance, efficiency, and safety for UAM vehicles. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll delve into the technical specifications, operational considerations, and key challenges associated with jet propulsion for urban air mobility.

Vehicle Capacity and Passenger Load

UAM vehicles utilizing jet propulsion are designed to accommodate between one to four passengers, reflecting the constraints of electric propulsion and the desired user experience. The Air Metro use case, for instance, assumes an average passenger load of three riders, while the Air Taxi use case expects a single rider. These capacity considerations are crucial in determining the overall system efficiency and scalability of UAM networks.

Autonomy and Operational Modes

jet propulsion for urban air mobility

Early UAM vehicles equipped with jet propulsion are expected to be piloted, with a gradual transition towards remotely piloted and increasingly autonomous operations. This evolution is driven by advancements in autonomy research and development, as well as the ongoing development of certification procedures for these advanced systems.

Performance Specifications

Jet propulsion-powered UAM vehicles are targeted to achieve a useful range of 60 miles and a cruising speed of 150 miles per hour (mph). These performance specifications are based on the desired requirements outlined by early industry leaders and conveners of the UAM vision. Achieving these targets is essential for providing efficient and convenient transportation options within urban environments.

Cost Considerations

The upfront cost per UAM vehicle equipped with jet propulsion is anticipated to range between $280,000 and $481,000, as indicated by early market data from several vehicle manufacturers. These cost estimates reflect the advanced technology and engineering required to develop safe and reliable UAM systems.

Operational Assumptions

UAM trips are expected to have an average passenger load of three riders, as reported by market studies that account for the shared route model of UAM. A battery recharging and/or swapping time of 20 minutes is assumed, based on the desired specifications stated by early UAM vehicle operators. A single UAM mission is projected to take 64 minutes, calculated by combining the estimated time spent in flight, passenger loading/unloading, and charging/battery swap times. Each vehicle is estimated to complete 11 daily trips, highlighting the potential for high utilization and operational efficiency.

Reliability and Safety Assessment

A study on the reliability and safety assessment of UAM concept vehicles found that the overall architecture comparison using Discrete Event Simulation (DET) analysis showed a significant improvement in reliability when using jet propulsion. The study reported a reliability improvement of 30% to 50% compared to other propulsion systems, underscoring the advantages of jet propulsion in ensuring the safety and dependability of UAM operations.

Infrastructure Requirements

The construction and operation of UAM infrastructure, such as vertiports and cargo loading facilities, will be a crucial component of the UAM ecosystem. The specific costs and requirements for this infrastructure will depend on the use case and operational requirements of the UAM network. Careful planning and coordination with local authorities will be necessary to ensure the seamless integration of UAM into urban transportation systems.

Conclusion

Jet propulsion for urban air mobility presents a compelling solution that offers promising performance, capacity, and operational characteristics. However, the successful implementation of UAM with jet propulsion will require addressing challenges related to cost, infrastructure, and safety. Continued research, development, and collaboration among industry stakeholders will be essential in realizing the full potential of this transformative technology.

References

  1. NASA/CR–20210017185 Reliability and Safety Assessment of Urban Air Mobility Concept Vehicles. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20210017185/downloads/Kufeld%20CR%E2%80%9320210017185_Final_091521.pdf
  2. Urban Air Mobility: An Airport Perspective. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/26899/chapter/4
  3. Can Urban Air Mobility become reality? Opportunities and challenges of UAM as innovative mode of transport and DLR contribution to ongoing research. ResearchGate. 2024. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380420845_Can_Urban_Air_Mobility_become_reality_Opportunities_and_challenges_of_UAM_as_innovative_mode_of_transport_and_DLR_contribution_to_ongoing_research