Raytheon Technologies has conducted their successful first engine test run of the company’s regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator. This marks a key development milestone, with flight testing targeted to start in 2024.
On Tuesday (December 20, 2022), Raytheon Technologies announced the successful test run of their regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator, with flight testing expected to commence in 2024. The initial run took place at Pratt & Whitney’s innovation facility, located in Longueuil, Canada. The integrated system includes a 1 MW electric motor developed by Collins Aerospace with a highly efficient Pratt & Whitney engine which has been specially adapted for hybrid-electric operation. The powerplant will enable more efficient performance during the takeoff, climb and cruise phases of flight, thereby reducing fuel burn and emissions by up to 30 percent, compared to today’s most advanced regional turboprops. The Flight Test Centre of Excellence (Cert Center Canada - 3C) will modify and operate the testbed aircraft, a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100, for future flight demonstrations.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Pratt & Whitney Canada’s Executive Director – New Products and Services, Jean Thomassin, said,
“Hybrid-electric propulsion technology offers significant potential to optimize efficiency across a range of different aircraft applications, helping our industry meet its ambitious goal for achieving net zero CO2 emissions. With our ground test program now well underway, planned flight testing will enable us to accelerate the demonstration of this next generation sustainable propulsion technology as we continue to expand our collaboration within Canada's aerospace ecosystem and beyond.”
3C’s President and Chief Test Pilot for the project, John Maris, added,
“We are honoured that Raytheon Technologies has chosen our Design Approval Organization to lead the flight test program for this historic demonstrator project. 3C has assembled a trusted Quebec team that includes Chrono Aviation, WAAS Aerospace, and Elisen & associés to integrate the hybrid-electric powertrain, battery system, and high voltage electrical harness into 3C’s Dash 8 research aircraft. I am confident that 3C’s extensive flight test experience and historical relationship with Transport Canada will complement Raytheon Technologies’ outstanding team to safely demonstrate this important technological advance.”
Raytheon Technologies Corporation (NYSE: RTX) was formed in 2020 with the combination of the Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses. The Arlington, Virginia-based organization is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. The company is comprised of four industry-leading businesses, including Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles and Defense. Raytheon Technologies delivers groundbreaking solutions that push the boundaries in avionics, cybersecurity, directed energy, electric propulsion, hypersonics, and quantum physics.
Source: Raytheon Technologies Corporation/Pratt & Whitney