NASA Aeronautics' experimental all-electric aircraft X-57 Maxwell will test and determine the airworthiness of electrified aircraft technologies

The NASA X-57 Maxwell has arrived at Edwards Air Force Base as work continues to prepare the electric aircraft for flight.

IN RECENT ground tests, NASA's first all-electric aircraft, the X-57 Maxwell, has successfully demonstrated its ability to transmit its telemetry signal, so the ground team can accurately track mission-critical data in real-time during a flight. The data will be recorded to inform post-flight analysis to measure the X-57's success in meeting its objectives, which will help NASA to set certification standards for future electric aircraft. The tests took place at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, with taxi and flight trials taking place in the near future.

NASA's all-electric X-57 Maxwell prepares for ground vibration testing in NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, California

NASA said as many as five larger transport-scale X-pianes are also planned as part of the initiative that will see the X-57 demonstrate hybrid engine technologies.

NASA is planning to fly the Scalable Convergent Electric Propulsion Technology Operations Research aircraft in 2017. The aircraft has been designated the X-57 Maxwell.

An artist's rendering of the X-57 Maxwell. NASA Aeronautics researchers will use the platform to demonstrate how electric propulsion can make aircraft more environmentally friendly and quieter, while increasing efficiency.