In the deserts north of Los Angeles, an experimental wing design may be the first step toward a future where planes are propelled through the skies by use of electric motor.

The Hybrid-Electric Integrated Systems Testbed, or HEIST, is currently mounted on a truck and driven across a dry lakebed at Edwards AFB in California at speeds up to 70 mph.

Testing of the 31 foot span will continue for the next several months. The wing is tested mounted to the truck rather than in a wind tunnel for obvious reasons: because it looks really cool. The testing represents an iterative stage in the wing's development, as preliminary testing was performed earlier in the year at much lower speeds.

Truck testing of the wing is, according to NASA, a precursor to development of "a small X-plane demonstrator proposed under NASA’s Transformative Aeronautics Concepts program." NASA hopes that within a few years, the Leading Edge Asynchronous Propeller Technology, or LEAPTech, project will "deliver improved efficiency and safety, as well as environmental and economic benefits."

The span is made of carbon composite and contains 18 electric motors, powered lithium iron phosphate batteries. Lithium iron phosphate batteries have a lower energy density, but longer lifespans, than the more common lithium cobalt oxide batteries found in most consumer devices.

Now the question is, how long until the design shows up in Kerbal Space Program?

Seth Macy is a freelance writer who just wants to be your friend. Follow him on Twitter @sethmacy, and MyIGN at sethgmacy, or check out Seth Macy Photography on Flickr.