Rolls-Royce has released that its new, small gas turbine, that has been specifically developed to power hybrid-electric flight, is set to begin testing. The engine is part of a turbo-generator-system that is being developed for the advanced air mobility market. This includes electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and commuter aircraft applications up to 19 seats.
The turbo-generator system will complement the Rolls-Royce Electrical propulsion portfolio by delivering an on-board power source with scalable power offerings between 500kW and 1200kW enabling extended range on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and later, as it becomes available, through hydrogen combustion, facilitating longer routes than electric battery-powered aircraft can support as of today.
The turbo-generator-system will complement the Rolls-Royce electrical propulsion portfolio by delivering an on-board power source with scalable power offerings between 500kW and 1200kW enabling extended range on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and later, as it becomes available, through hydrogen combustion. This will open up new, longer routes than electric battery powered aircraft can support as of today.
This engine will be tested on SAF in the coming months and will be used for the commissioning of Rolls-Royce’s test facility in Dahlewitz. The Rolls-Royce Power Gearbox test facility has been modified to accommodate testing of the new engine and to confirm the engine’s technical attributes.
Rolls-Royce is developing complete power and propulsion systems for all-electric and hybrid-electric applications. Our systems under design feature the latest technology, from power generation and energy storage via power electronics and control systems to electric motors.
