RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator program achieves full power test milestone for propulsion system and batteries

Rhea-AI Summary

RTX achieves a significant milestone in its Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator program by successfully testing the integrated propulsion system and batteries at full power. The project combines a Pratt & Whitney Canada thermal engine with a 1MW electric motor from Collins Aerospace, powered by 200kWh batteries from H55. AeroTEC has been selected to support future flight testing of the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft. The innovative system targets up to 30% improved fuel efficiency compared to current regional turboprops. The project involves collaboration with multiple partners including De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, GKN Aerospace, and Ricardo. This development is part of RTX's broader technology roadmap for sustainable aviation, with Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace working together on various demonstrator projects including the Clean Aviation SWITCH project.

Positive

• Successfully completed full power testing of integrated hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries
• Targeting significant 30% improvement in fuel efficiency for regional turboprops
• Strategic collaboration with multiple industry partners strengthens project execution
• Development aligns with broader sustainable aviation technology roadmap

Negative

• Technology still in testing phase with no immediate commercial implementation
• Significant testing and certification hurdles remain before operational deployment

Insights

Aerospace Technology Expert

RTX's hybrid-electric propulsion milestone signals significant advancement toward 30% fuel efficiency gains, positioning them as leaders in sustainable aviation technology.

RTX has achieved a critical technical milestone in its Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator program, successfully testing the integrated propulsion system and batteries at full power. This represents the first battery-powered operation of their hybrid system, which combines a Pratt & Whitney Canada thermal engine with a 1 megawatt electric motor from Collins Aerospace and 200 kilowatt-hour batteries from H55.

The technical architecture is particularly noteworthy - they've developed a complete ecosystem including a high-voltage Mobile Charging Unit co-developed with the National Research Council of Canada and the Innovative Vehicle Institute. This systems-level approach demonstrates RTX's comprehensive strategy rather than just component-level development.

The target of 30% improved fuel efficiency compared to current regional turboprops represents a step-change improvement that could dramatically alter the economics of regional air travel. For context, most conventional engine improvements typically yield 1-2% efficiency gains, making this potentially transformative.

The strategic partnership structure reveals RTX's smart collaborative approach: De Havilland providing the test aircraft and baseline data, AeroTEC handling flight testing, GKN Aerospace contributing high-voltage electrical systems, and Ricardo supporting propulsion development. This ecosystem approach maximizes specialized expertise while keeping RTX at the center of the intellectual property development.

This demonstrator program has broader significance beyond just this application - it's clearly feeding into RTX's broader electrification strategy, including the parallel Clean Aviation SWITCH project developing hybrid-electric technology for the GTF engine platform. This indicates the technology is being positioned for multiple aircraft applications, significantly expanding its potential market impact.

Future flight-testing targets 30% improved fuel efficiency for regional turboprops

PARIS, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney Canada announces a new milestone in the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator project, by testing the integrated propulsion system and batteries to full power. While ground testing of the hybrid-electric propulsion system continues in Longueuil, Quebec, Pratt & Whitney Canada has selected AeroTEC to support future flight testing of the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business.

The new end-to-end test marks the first battery-powered operation of the propulsion system, which combines a highly efficient Pratt & Whitney Canada thermal engine with a 1 megawatt (MW) electric motor developed by RTX business, Collins Aerospace. The 200 kilowatt-hour (kWh) batteries, supplied by H55 S.A., have also been successfully charged and discharged using the high-voltage Mobile Charging Unit co-developed by Pratt & Whitney Canada, the National Research Council of Canada and the Innovative Vehicle Institute. H55 is supported by RTX Ventures, the venture capital arm of RTX.

"Performing end-to-end tests of our pioneering hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries marks another critical milestone toward our goal of demonstrating this promising technology in flight," said Jean Thomassin, executive director, new products and services introduction, Pratt & Whitney Canada. "Ultimately, we are targeting up to 30% improved fuel efficiency compared to today's regional turboprops, and insights from this project are also helping us advance the development of hybrid-electric technology to address multiple future platforms."

AeroTEC joins De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, which is providing critical baseline data and engineering expertise for the Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft. Other collaborators on the program include GKN Aerospace, which is providing high-voltage electrical wiring and interconnection systems, and Ricardo, which is supporting the development of the hybrid-electric propulsion system.

"AeroTEC's mission is to accelerate the evolution of aerospace, and our collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada on the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator project is a clear example of that commitment," said Justin Morigeau, president, AeroTEC. "In our role leading the modification and flight testing of the experimental aircraft, we're proud to support the demonstration of cutting-edge technologies that will define the future of sustainable flight."

Hybrid-electric propulsion is a core part of RTX's technology roadmap for improving fuel efficiency and performance in future aircraft, leveraging the industry-leading aircraft propulsion and electrical systems expertise of Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, respectively. The two RTX businesses are collaborating on a range of technology demonstrator projects, including the Clean Aviation SWITCH project, which is developing a hybrid-electric Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine demonstrator.

About AeroTEC
AeroTEC develops, tests and certifies new aircraft products, using innovative and scalable development, test and certification techniques to help aerospace companies everywhere bring their products to market quickly, easily and efficiently. For more information, please visit www.aerotec.com.

About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units for military, commercial and civil aviation customers. Since 1925, our engineers have pioneered the development of revolutionary aircraft propulsion technologies, and today we support more than 90,000 in-service engines through our global network of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than $80 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtx-hybrid-electric-flight-demonstrator-program-achieves-full-power-test-milestone-for-propulsion-system-and-batteries-302482089.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What milestone did RTX achieve in its Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator program?

RTX successfully completed full power testing of the integrated propulsion system and batteries, marking the first battery-powered operation of the hybrid-electric propulsion system.

What fuel efficiency improvement is RTX targeting with its hybrid-electric technology?

RTX is targeting up to 30% improved fuel efficiency compared to current regional turboprops.

Which aircraft will be used for RTX's hybrid-electric flight testing?

The De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft will be used for flight testing.

What are the key components of RTX's hybrid-electric propulsion system?

The system combines a Pratt & Whitney Canada thermal engine with a 1 megawatt electric motor from Collins Aerospace and 200 kilowatt-hour batteries supplied by H55 S.A.

Who are the main partners involved in RTX's hybrid-electric project?

Key partners include AeroTEC, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, GKN Aerospace, Ricardo, H55 S.A., and the National Research Council of Canada.