LONDON - RTX in Arlington County, Va. announced that it has completed the preliminary design review for the hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator engine being developed as part of the SWITCH project, supported by the European Union's Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (Clean Aviation) at the Farnborough International Airshow.
RTX companies Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are developing a hybrid-electric propulsion system by integrating two Collins Aerospace megawatt-class electric motor generators within a Pratt & Whitney GTF engine. This system aims to improve engine efficiency during all phases of flight, potentially reducing fuel consumption and emissions for future short- and medium-range aircraft.
"Completing the preliminary design review is a significant milestone toward demonstrating the potential of hybrid-electric technology to further enhance the performance and efficiency of next-generation aircraft propulsion systems," said Juan de Bedout, chief technology officer at RTX. "We are leveraging our growing expertise in the field of hybrid-electric propulsion, including close collaboration between Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, and all members of the SWITCH consortium."
Related: SWITCH project aims to advance hybrid electric and water enhanced turbofan tech
The SWITCH hybrid-electric propulsion system includes two megawatt-class electric motor generators mounted on the low and high spools of the GTF engine, along with motor controllers, high-voltage wiring, and batteries. The electric powertrain will be tested at Collins' electric power systems development facility, The Grid, in Rockford, IL, before assembling and testing the full-scale GTF demonstrator engine.
The SWITCH project (Sustainable Water Injecting Turbofan Comprising Hybrid-Electrics) is a collaborative effort among MTU Aero Engines AG, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, and Airbus. The project aims to showcase the potential of hybrid-electric and water-enhanced turbofan technologies to improve aircraft fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Hybrid-electric propulsion is a key part of RTX's technology roadmap for more sustainable aviation. In addition to SWITCH, RTX is advancing hybrid-electric technologies through various demonstrator programs, including STEP-Tech and the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator, with support from the governments of Canada and Quebec.
