Jabiru Aircraft has officially announced the development of a new electric propulsion system for light aircraft, known as the Jabiru Electric Motor (JEM). Developed in collaboration with axial flux motor specialists Evans Electric, the program aims to deliver a dedicated aviation-grade electric drive system tailored to the unique demands of light aircraft.

“We believe in a measured transition to electric propulsion in aviation,” said Jabiru Executive Director, Mick Halloran. “The JEM program allows us to develop real capability in electric propulsion while continuing to support and improve our ICE product line, which remains the most viable solution for many customers in the near term.”

The JEM is being developed under the support of the Federal Government’s Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships (EATP) program and is based on a single-rotor, surface-mounted permanent magnet (SPM), fractional-slot axial flux architecture — optimized for direct-drive operation, low mass, and simplified cooling.

Initial performance targets span 30–90 kW, with development focused on:

• Direct-drive configuration, eliminating the need for complex gear reductions
• Compact axial flux topology, enabling lightweight and high torque density
• Advanced thermal management strategies for altitude-stable performance
• Modular integration, suited to both retrofits and clean-sheet aircraft designs
• Energy source agnosticism, compatible with battery, hybrid, or hydrogen-electric systems

The JEM project also leverages Evans Electric’s broader axial flux IP portfolio, which includes:

• Six proprietary axial flux topologies, spanning SPM and induction variants
• Designs scalable from 2 kW to over 200 kW, including motor-inverter integration
• Automotive-grade designs for safety-critical torque vectoring and e-axles
• High-efficiency configurations for industrial, aerospace, eMobility, and off-highway applications

A prototype of the JEM was on display at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, marking a major step toward certified, electric-powered flight using Australian-developed technology.