System Level Testing of HPDM-30 – A 10 kW/kg Integrated Motor Drive for UAV and Aircraft Electric Propulsion

The HPDM-30 is a ultra high power density 30kW integrated motor drive (IMD) for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Small Aircraft Electric Propulsion. It combines the motor and inverter into a single unit and utilizes the same advanced core technology developed for H3X's flagship product, the HPDM-250. H3X is targeting a combined motor/inverter efficiency of 93% and a continuous specific power of 10 kW/kg, making it 3X more power dense than anything else commercially available. The goal of this Phase II proposal is to manufacture a full-scale HPDM-30 prototype in order to perform functional testing, performance characterization, and baseline environmental testing of the full IMD system.

25% SUSAN Flight Research Vehicle Commercial drones, Military UAVs and ROVs, special purpose ground vehicles, Gensets, Downhole industrial

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.