Scotland aims to deliver world’s first all-electric jet engine

Dubbed the Forerunner, the 46.45kg electric jet engine is Scottish start-up Mako Aerospace’s solution to potentially reduce fuel costs by 70 per cent compared to traditional turboprop engines.

To realise this, Dunfermline-based Mako Aerospace has teamed up with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), operated by Strathclyde University, to manufacture the engine. NMIS engineers are involved in wide ranging research exploring how superconductors could play a significant role in achieving a fully electrical commercial flight.

Strathclyde University graduates Kieran Duncan and Pia Saelen are leading the R&D project. Strathclyde University’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of NMIS and the UK’s High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, is providing engineering and manufacturing expertise while also introducing potential supply chain partners from across its network with a view to eventually manufacture the engines in Scotland.

Supported by private equity funding, a prototype all-electric direct drive jet engine is currently in development. It will be showcased at a demonstrator day in October in Edinburgh, with Mako aiming to bring it to market with experimental certification within the next two years.