GE Aerospace and NASA have unveiled their hybrid electric aircraft, which will be part of the NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project.
As part of the EPFD initiative, GE Aerospace is developing a hybrid electric engine for both ground and flight testing, set to take place in the mid-2020s. Boeing and its subsidiary, Aurora Flight Sciences, have joined forces with GE Aerospace to support these flight tests. The modified Saab 340B aircraft will be used for analysis, powered by GE’s CT7 engines.
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Arjan Hegeman, General Manager of Advanced Technology at GE Aerospace, highlights their vision of a more electric-driven future, achieved through research collaborations with NASA. The main objective is to expand the possibilities of hybrid propulsion systems, ultimately enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions compared to current engines.
GE Aerospace has already achieved several technical milestones in the development of its hybrid electric propulsion system. Notably, in 2022, their system was tested under altitudes of up to 45,000 feet, simulating normal flight conditions for a commercial aircraft.
The implementation of hybrid electric propulsion technologies holds the potential to revolutionize engine performance. These propulsion systems have the capability to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
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