Lange Antares

Antares
	Lange Aviation Antares 20E
Role	Open Class and 18 m Class sailplane
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Lange Aviation GmbH
First flight	Template:Avyear
Number built	50 as of April 2009

The Antares is a glider built by Lange Aviation produced with three different wingspans, 18, 20 and 23 meters. The 20 and 23 meter variants can be equipped with a 42-kW electric motor and SAFT VL 41M lithium-ion batteries.

The EM 42 is a fixed-shaft brushless DC electric motor (see Lange EA 42) running at 190-288 V, and drawing up to 160 A, the 42 kW motor can deliver up to 216 N.m of torque over a speed range of 160-1600 RPM with a total efficiency of 90%. Maximum continuous power is 38.5 kW, the motor weighs 29 kg, and the weight of power electronics is 10 kg. The motor turns a two-blade fixed-pitch propeller, LF-P42, constructed of composite materials, having a diameter of two meters.

The battery system consists of two battery packs positioned in the leading edges of both inner wings (72 cells divided into 24 modules containing 3 cells each). The battery life is expected to be 3000 cycles or 20 years. The capacity of the battery is 41 Ah (specific energy 136 Wh/kg and specific peak power 794 W/kg). The batteries can deliver 13 minutes at maximum power and maximum climb speed, and can climb 3,000 meters on one battery charge. The charger is integrated inside the fuselage so when landing elsewhere the pilot merely has to find an electric outlet socket. The glider has a modem connected to its main computer so that technicians can run diagnostics remotely.

The undercarriage is hydraulically operated. The tailwheel is steerable. The wing has an elliptical planform.

Variants

Antares 18S - 18 meter wingspan pure glider.
Antares 18T - 18 meter wingspan glider with Solo 2350 two-stroke gasoline sustainer engine.
Antares 20E - 20 meter wingspan with 42 kW electric self-launch capable engine.
Antares 23E - 23 meter wingspan with 42 kW electric self-launch capable engine.

Specifications

Antares 20E

General characteristics

Crew: one pilot
Capacity: 100 L water ballast
Aspect ratio: 31.7

Performance

Maximum glide ratio: 56

Antares 23E