AviTrader sponsorship ad

Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens team up for electric future

Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens have formed a partnership which aims at developing a near-term flight demonstrator which will be a significant step forward in hybrid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft. The three companies together announced the groundbreaking collaboration, bringing together some of the world’s foremost experts in electrical and propulsion technologies, at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London. The E-Fan X hybrid-electric technology demonstrator is anticipated to fly in 2020 following a comprehensive ground test campaign, provisionally on a BAe 146 flying testbed, with one of the aircraft’s four gas turbine engines replaced by a two megawatt electric motor. Provisions will be made to replace a second gas turbine with an electric motor once system maturity has been proven. The E-Fan X demonstrator will explore the challenges of high-power propulsion systems, such as thermal effects, electric thrust management, altitude and dynamic effects on electric systems and electromagnetic compatibility issues. The objective is to push and mature the technology, performance, safety and reliability enabling quick progress on the hybrid electric technology. The programme also aims at establishing the requirements for future certification of electrically powered aircraft while training a new generation of designers and engineers to bring hybrid-electric commercial aircraft one step closer to reality.
As part of the E-Fan X programme, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens will each contribute with their extensive experience and know-how in their respective fields of expertise:
Airbus will be responsible for overall integration as well as the control architecture of the hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries, and its integration with flight controls.
Rolls-Royce will be responsible for the turbo-shaft engine, two megawatt generator, and power electronics. Along with Airbus, Rolls-Royce will also work on the fan adaptation to the existing nacelle and the Siemens electric motor.
Siemens will deliver the two megawatt electric motors and their power electronic control unit, as well as the inverter, DC/DC converter, and power distribution system. This comes on top of the E-Aircraft Systems House collaboration between Airbus and Siemens, launched in 2016, which aims at development and maturation of various electric propulsion system components and their terrestrial demonstration across various power classes.

Share this Article
Thursday October 23, 2025
Airbus, Leonardo and Thales have signed a memorandum of understanding to merge their space activities into a single company. By joining forces, the three giants aim to bolster Europe’s strategic autonomy in space. This vital sector supports telecommunication... Read More »
Thursday October 23, 2025
ATG's flagship product, the aerBlade® system © ATG
Jamco Corporation, a Bain Capital portfolio company and Japan’s top manufacturer of aircraft cabin interiors, has announced the acquisition of Aerospace Technologies Group (ATG) by Bain Capital. The global investment firm manages assets worth around US$185 b... Read More »
Thursday October 23, 2025
The latest deals involved the sale-and- leaseback of two new Embraer E195-E2 jets, delivered and leased to Canada’s Porter Airlines © AirTeamImages
Ashland Place Finance (Ashland Place) has completed its third and fourth aircraft financing facilities with affiliates of Fortress Investment Group and GOAL Aircraft Leasing. The deals involve the sale and leaseback of two new Embraer E195-E2 jets, delivered d... Read More »
Thursday October 23, 2025
© Shutterstock
Lockheed Martin has reported a robust third quarter for 2025, with sales reaching US$18.6 billion, up from US$17.1 billion a year earlier. Net earnings remained steady at US$1.6 billion, or US$6.95 per share, slightly higher than the US$6.80 per share recorded... Read More »
Thursday October 23, 2025
Ground-breaking ceremony at Perot Field Alliance Airport © Embraer
Embraer has begun construction on a new MRO facility for commercial jets at Perot Field Alliance Airport in Fort Worth. The ground-breaking ceremony gathered local leaders, Embraer executives, and partner representatives to celebrate this major step forward. T... Read More »
Thursday October 23, 2025
Representatives from Bell Textron, Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Ecology, and Agriculture, and UkraineInvest
At a ceremony in Washington, Bell Textron signed key agreements with Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Ecology, and Agriculture, and UkraineInvest. The deal aims to explore industrial cooperation as part of a possible purchase of AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom hel... Read More »
Wednesday October 22, 2025
TrueNoord CEO Anne-Bart Tieleman (l) and Elysian co-CEO and co-founder Daniel Rosen Jacobson
Elysian, a pioneer in next-generation electric aircraft, has signed a collaboration agreement with regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord. The deal, announced during the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) General Assembly in Estoril, supports Elysian’s f... Read More »
Wednesday October 22, 2025
Norwegian Group
For the third quarter 2025, the Norwegian Group has posted a profit before tax (EBT) of NOK 2,891 million and an operating profit (EBIT) of NOK 3,071 million. The period also marked key milestones. The company paid its first-ever dividend in August and confirm... Read More »
Wednesday October 22, 2025
Wizz Air Airbus A321neo © AirTeamImages
Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) has delivered three new Airbus A321neo aircraft to Wizz Air. These aircraft are powered by advanced Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, known for their fuel efficiency and lower emissions. They mark the tenth, eleventh and twelfth... Read More »
Wednesday October 22, 2025
A CH-47F Block II conducts a flight at Redstone Test Center in Huntsville, Ala. © Boeing/Studio 51
The U.S. Army has advanced its heavy-lift modernisation plans with an order for nine Boeing CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters. The two new contracts, worth US$461 million, bring the total number of Block II aircraft on order to 18. The latest awards, coverin... Read More »
Wednesday October 22, 2025
STS new station Vero Beach ©Shutterstock
STS Line Maintenance (STS), part of STS Aviation Group, has opened a new satellite station in Vero Beach, Florida (VRB). Operations will begin on December 1, with JetBlue Airways confirmed as the launch customer. Mark Smith, President of STS Aviation Group, sa... Read More »
Wednesday October 22, 2025
The deal paves the way for the development of up to six new narrow- and wide-body hangars across the airport estate © Teesside International Airport
A major deal has been agreed to support a multi-million-pound expansion of aircraft maintenance operations at Teesside International Airport. The move will create hundreds of skilled engineering jobs and boost the region’s growing aviation sector. Willis Avi... Read More »
Wednesday October 22, 2025
BCT hangar at East Midlands Airport (EMA)
BCT Aviation Maintenance, based at East Midlands Airport (EMA), has made a six-figure investment in new hangar tools and airside vehicles. The move prepares the company for a busy winter maintenance season. From October to December, BCT’s hangar will handle ... Read More »
Tuesday October 21, 2025
Korean Air and Archer executives on October 20th signing ceremony.
Korean Air and Archer Aviation (Archer) have signed an agreement to bring Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft to Korea. The rollout will begin with government use and later expand to other sectors. As part of the deal, Korean Air plans to buy up to 100 Midnight... Read More »
Tuesday October 21, 2025
Acron Aviation has announced the acquisition of Honeywell’s Thermal Switches product line. This milestone marks the company’s second acquisition in just six months, following its launch as a standalone business in March 2025. The strategic purchase strengt... Read More »
Tuesday October 21, 2025
The agreement was announced in Hong Kong on the sidelines of the IATA World Sustainability Symposium
Airbus and the Cathay Group (Cathay) have announced a joint investment of up to US$70 million. The goal is to speed up the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across Asia and beyond. This marks another strong step towards cleaner, lower-carbon air t... Read More »
Tuesday October 21, 2025
TrustFlight
TrustFlight, a pioneer in aviation safety and compliance technology, has launched Smart Documents — a next-generation authoring platform that transforms how aviation organisations create, validate, and distribute operational documentation. The launch follows... Read More »
Tuesday October 21, 2025
Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft rendering © L3Harris
L3Harris Technologies has secured a major contract to supply modified Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force. These advanced airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) jets will enhance national defence and surveillance. The pr... Read More »
Tuesday October 21, 2025
Arlanda Airport
Stockholm Arlanda Airport is taking European aviation into a new era. Swedavia and Luftfartsverket have jointly introduced Established on RNP (EoR), a concept that enables aircraft to perform curved approaches more often. It is the first of its kind in Europe,... Read More »
Monday October 20, 2025
Rendering of the A350-900 in IndiGo livery
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has finalised a firm order for 30 Airbus A350 aircraft. This deal converts a memorandum of understanding signed in June into a confirmed contract. As a result, IndiGo’s total A350 orders now stand at 60. The agreement marks... Read More »
ajw avitrader

2026 MEDIA KIT

VP Sales & Business Development Americas
Tamar Jorssen
tamar.jorssen@avitrader.com
Phone: +1 (778) 213 8543
VP International Sales & Marketing
Malte Tamm
malte.tamm@avitrader.com
Phone: +49 (0)162 8263049

Subscribe to the most widely accepted news source in the aviation industry!


Free Daily, Weekly and MRO Publications delivered to your Inbox!
News Alerts, Editorials, Marketplace, Executive Interviews +more

Select publications:

*we respect your privacy and AviTrader will not share your email address to any 3rd Parties.