Engines
Collins Reports Progress with Hybrid-electric Propulsion Work
HECATE and SWITCH research and development is focused on new airliners
Collins HECATE power converters
Power converters are among the systems developed by Collins Aerospace as part of the HECATE program to develop hybrid-electric propulsion systems for future airliners.

Collins Aerospace and partners including Safran, Airbus Defence and Space, Leonardo, and several universities have completed the European Union-backed HECATE project to progress plans for future hybrid-electric programs. The RTX group subsidiary reported on March 17 that the initiative achieved the TRL5 stage of technology readiness and included trials with a powertrain that produced more than 500 kilowatts of power.

Tests using the Copper Bird platform at Safran Electrical & Power’s facility at Niort in France concluded in late 2025. Since then, the partners have been verifying and validating the results of the jointly developed electrical power generation and distribution system.