Abstract:
The scope of this paper is an analysis of the safety and reliability of novel urban air mobility (UAM) propulsion systems. Their potential effect on and coupling of adjacent and related systems such as flight controls and thermal management has been examined at a functional level. Propulsion systems were developed for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) concept aircraft to support the reliability and safety analysis. The results of the safety and reliability analysis (on a representative UAM configuration, a quad-rotor (QR), is presented to guide industry on the effects of architecture and systems design on overall air vehicle safety. This will also inform the industry on various propulsion configurations and how they can be made to comply with certification requirements.