GE Aviation, the major global provider of jet engines, components and systems for commercial and military aircraft, has opted to collaborate with BAE Systems to design, test and supply energy management components for GE’s recently announced megawatt (MW) class hybrid electric propulsion system which is currently in development.
Back in October 2021 it was announced that NASA had chosen GE Aviation to mature a MW-class integrated hybrid electric powertrain for single-aisle aircraft and through NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, GE will test hybrid electric configurations on a modified Saab 340B to help prove out the technology.
“We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with BAE Systems on this demonstrator to advance energy storage systems at altitude,” said Mohamed Ali, Vice President and General Manager of engineering for GE Aviation. Beyond energy storage, BAE Systems will provide the high-integrity controls and cables for the demonstrator’s power management system, which will be tested on a CT7-9B turboprop engine.
“We are harnessing our expertise in energy management systems and flight critical controls to support the development of electric propulsion systems for the future of flight,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, Vice President and General Manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “This effort continues our longstanding relationship with GE.”
GE Aviation has been maturing components of high-power hybrid electric systems for over ten years, including motors, generators, power convertors and power management systems. The electrification technologies GE Aviation is advancing are highly compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and hydrogen, as well as advanced engine architectures such as the open fan and new compact engine core designs.
