RTX has achieved full power testing of its hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries for the company’s flight demonstrator program.
Pratt & Whitney Canada completed end-to-end testing of the integrated system combining a thermal engine with a 1-megawatt electric motor developed by Collins Aerospace. The 200-kilowatt-hour batteries supplied by H55 were successfully charged and discharged using a high-voltage mobile charging unit.
The propulsion system will be installed in a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft for flight testing. According to RTX, the hybrid-electric technology targets up to 30% improved fuel efficiency compared to current regional turboprops.
AeroTEC will support future flight testing of the experimental aircraft while ground testing continues in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada. The flight test company will lead modification and testing operations for the demonstrator program.
“Performing end-to-end tests of our hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries marks another critical milestone toward our goal of demonstrating this technology in flight,” said Jean Thomassin, executive director of new products and services introduction at Pratt & Whitney Canada.
The mobile charging unit was co-developed by Pratt & Whitney Canada, the National Research Council of Canada and the Innovative Vehicle Institute. H55 receives support from RTX Ventures, the company’s venture capital division.
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada provides baseline data and engineering expertise for the Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft. GKN Aerospace supplies high-voltage electrical wiring and interconnection systems for the program.
Ricardo supports development of the hybrid-electric propulsion system while AeroTEC handles aircraft modification and flight testing operations. The collaboration combines expertise across propulsion, electrical systems and flight testing disciplines.
“AeroTEC’s mission is to accelerate the evolution of aerospace, and our collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada on the hybrid-electric flight demonstrator project is a clear example of that commitment,” said Justin Morigeau, president of AeroTEC.
RTX positions hybrid-electric propulsion as part of its technology roadmap for improving fuel efficiency and performance in future aircraft. The program leverages propulsion expertise from Pratt & Whitney and electrical systems capabilities from Collins Aerospace.
The two RTX businesses collaborate on multiple technology demonstrator projects including the Clean Aviation SWITCH project. That program develops a hybrid-electric Pratt & Whitney GTF engine demonstrator for commercial aviation applications.
Ground testing validates the integration between the thermal engine, electric motor and battery systems before flight operations begin. The testing phase confirms power delivery, charging capabilities and system coordination across the hybrid-electric architecture.
According to Thomassin, insights from the project will advance hybrid-electric technology development for multiple future aircraft platforms. The demonstrator program addresses regional aviation applications where hybrid-electric systems can provide fuel efficiency benefits.
