Ampaire and Tamarack Aerospace Group (Tamarack) have entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop further aerodynamic upgrades for Ampaire’s family of hybrid electric aircraft. This includes exclusive access to Tamarack’s Performance SMARTWINGÔ winglets on all alternative energy variants of the 208 Caravan, Twin Otter, and King Air aircraft.
Joint development work has already commenced, with analysis validating synergies between Tamarack’s Performance SMARTWING sustainability supporting load alleviation technology and Ampaire’s hybrid electric propulsion technology. Tamarack’s upgrade increases fuel efficiency and range, smooths flight, and improves the ability to take off and land on shorter runways regardless of high/hot conditions. Payload will offer customers the option of further enhancing performance and operating cost savings on Ampaire’s hybrid electric Eco Caravan, Eco Otter, and Eco King Air. Tamarack Performance SMARTWING is also compatible with conventional versions of the 208, Twin Otter, and King Air, as well as Cessna CitationJets.
“Tamarack’s technology is a great match with Ampaire’s hybrid propulsion system, as both work synergistically to upgrade the performance and economics of the proven aircraft operated by our customers,” said Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker. “Tamarack’s Performance SMARTWING technology has demonstrated substantial aerodynamic improvements on multiple platforms including 160 upgraded CitationJets, and our goal aligns closely with Ampaire’s to make every aircraft more efficient and sustainable,” said Tamarack’s CEO Nick Guida.
Tamarack King Air Performance SMARTWING Milestones
Tamarack is in active talks with the first three presale purchasers of two King Air airframes. These orders involve King Air 200 and 350 upgrades with Performance SMARTWING technology. Tamarack has also received positive feedback from civilian and military operators about the King Air series and expects orders for a King Air 200 and a King Air 350 upgrade within coming months.
As reported earlier in 2022, Tamarack has flown both the King Air 200 and King Air 350 with the Performance SMARTWING upgrade. Flight trials have demonstrated the benefits of increased endurance and payload, high/hot take-off abilities, extended loiter time, and safer, more stable flight.
“There are currently approximately 2000 King Air 200’s and a similar number of King Air 350’s in operation today on missions for private business and in the military,” said Guida. “Based on interest, we know there is a robust sales universe waiting for our Performance SMARTWING upgrade.”
