SAE AIR8678-2022 PDF

Full title and description

SAE AIR8678:2022 — Architecture Examples for Electrified Propulsion Aircraft. An SAE International information report that presents reference architectures, common element definitions, and interface descriptions to help the aerospace community describe and discuss partial- and full-electric propulsion system concepts for next‑generation aircraft.

Abstract

This information report describes candidate electrified propulsion architectures and supplies example configurations to establish a common design language for electric and hybrid‑electric aircraft propulsion. The document defines the elements of electrified propulsion architectures (including power generation, distribution and energy storage), the interfaces to and within the propulsion system, and approaches to electrical energy management and storage. While thermal management is acknowledged as essential in practice, detailed thermal management system (TMS) solutions are explicitly outside the document’s scope. The report presents six example architectures as illustrative starting points for industry and standards work.

General information

• Status: Current / Active (Information Report).
• Publication date: August 1, 2022.
• Publisher: SAE International.
• ICS / categories: 49.050 — Aerospace engines and propulsion systems (classification used by standards catalogues).
• Edition / version: 2022 edition — Information Report (AIR8678).
• Number of pages: 19.

Key bibliographic identifiers: Product code AIR8678; DOI recorded as 10.4271/AIR8678.

Scope

The scope is to describe potential electrified propulsion architectures and provide example configurations to encourage innovation while establishing common terminology and architecture elements. The report addresses: the elements making up electrified propulsion systems (power sources, distribution, storage, converters, and motors), interfaces to/from the propulsion system, internal interfaces between propulsion subsystems, and electrical energy management and storage architecture. It is intended as a reference foundation for subsequent SAE and industry work and guidance; it does not prescribe certification rules or detailed thermal management solutions.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of architecture elements for electrified propulsion: power generation, converters, distribution, motors/propulsors, and energy storage.
• Example architectures (six illustrative configurations) spanning partial‑electric to fully electric propulsion concepts.
• Interfaces: external (to airframe, fuel systems, ground systems) and internal (between power sources, storage and motor systems).
• Electrical energy management and storage architecture considerations (topology and functional roles, not prescriptive performance limits).
• Identification of system elements that interact with but are out of scope (detailed thermal management system designs and certification guidance).

Typical use and users

Primary users include aircraft system architects, propulsion and electrical engineers, R&D teams working on hybrid/electric and eVTOL aircraft, certification and regulatory specialists preparing harmonized approaches, and standards developers seeking a common architecture vocabulary. The report is intended as a reference for conceptual design, requirements framing, cross‑discipline communication, and as an input to future standards and guidance documents.

Related standards

Complementary and follow‑on work in the electrified propulsion and aircraft systems space includes related SAE work items and ARP documents (nomenclature/definitions and electric engine endurance/testing guidance), SAE documents on aircraft electrical power systems modeling and integration, and relevant industry standards addressing power interfaces and installation. Examples of related SAE and industry items under development or cited in community roadmaps include ARP8676 (nomenclature/definitions for electrified propulsion), ARP8689 (endurance tests for aircraft electric engines), AIR7128 and AIR6326 (integration, certification and power‑system modeling guidance), and IEEE work on power and power‑management interfaces; these form part of the broader standards ecosystem around electrified propulsion.

Keywords

electrified propulsion; electric aircraft; hybrid‑electric; aircraft architecture; power distribution; energy storage; interfaces; energy management; eVTOL; aircraft systems.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: SAE AIR8678:2022 is an SAE International information report titled "Architecture Examples for Electrified Propulsion Aircraft" that provides reference architectures and common definitions to support discussion and future standards work on electric and hybrid‑electric aircraft propulsion.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers example propulsion system architectures (six illustrative configurations), definitions of architecture elements (power generation, distribution, converters, motors, energy storage), interfaces to and within the propulsion system, and electrical energy management and storage architecture. It is intentionally descriptive and illustrative rather than prescriptive; detailed thermal management and certification requirements are outside its scope.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Systems and propulsion engineers, aircraft architects, researchers, certification and regulatory specialists, and standards developers use this report as a common reference when defining concepts, interfaces, and initial system breakdowns for electrified propulsion projects.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was published August 1, 2022 and is listed as the 2022 information report edition (AIR8678). Users should check SAE International for any subsequent revisions or newer related deliverables that extend or supersede parts of the content.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: AIR8678 is part of SAE's evolving body of work on electrified propulsion and related ARP/WIP items (nomenclature, endurance testing, integration and modeling guidance). It is intended as a reference foundation that complements other SAE and industry standards under development for electric aircraft systems.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Electrified propulsion, electric aircraft, hybrid‑electric, architecture, energy storage, power distribution, interfaces, energy management, eVTOL, aircraft systems.