Maeve Redesigns Its Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft

‍DALLAS — Dutch Maeve Aerospace has unveiled a redesign plan for its hybrid-electric regional jets (RJs) to rebrand them as the Maeve Jet series 500 (MJ500)—the firm aims to implement this change in the middle of the next decade.

As reported by Aviation Week, the redesign is a result of customer feedback, and Maeve, with the support of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, RJ Aviation, and Pratt & Whitney Canada, is currently in the concept design phase. 

• Preliminary design review by mid-2027.
• First flight by the end of 2029.
• Entry into service around 2032-2033. 

Modification

The new MJ500 has a low swept swing with a seating capacity of 76-100 passengers. It features aft-mounted open-rotor/stator engines with a two-propeller M80 design. 

The new design of the MJ500 features reduced cabin noise, achieved by mounting small-diameter propulsors at the rear fuselage and a low wing to compensate for weight distribution. 

Engine Specifications

The MJ500 utilizes two parallel hybrid propulsion engines, combining an advanced thermal engine with an electric motor. The hybrid engines are optimized for high-altitude performance, featuring an electric boost during takeoff.

The MJ500 aims to have a range of 1.200 nautical miles at 35,000 feet altitude with a speed at Mach 0.75. It will burn 30-40% less fuel, which would reduce operating costs by about 20% compared to other regional jets it targets for replacement. 

Seats Configuration

The MJ500 can accommodate various seat configurations to meet customer needs. It can be configured into three classes with 76 seats, two courses with 90 seats, or a single class with 100 seats. 

The aircraft aims to replace U.S. fleets of regional jets that include Embraer ERJ and Bombardier CRJ.