Rotorcraft
Airbus Helo Teams with P&WC, Collins on Hybrid H145
The PioneerLab is expected to test fly hybrid propulsion in 2027
Airbus Helicopters PioneerLab (Photo: Airbus Helicopters)
Pratt & Whitney Canada and Collins Aerospace are supplying a hybrid propulsion system for the Airbus Helicopters PioneerLab program.

Airbus Helicopters selected Pratt & Whitney Canada and Collins Aerospace to collaborate on a hybrid-electric propulsion system for its PioneerLab technology demonstrator. The OEM is developing PioneerLab based on an H145 medium-twin helicopter to demonstrate the potential fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions savings that hybrid-electric propulsion could bring.

Under the program, the partners are replacing the H145’s existing engines with a hybrid propulsion system comprising a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 engine and two Collins 250-kW electric motors and controllers that are linked through a common gearbox.