Engines
GE Completes Hybrid-electric Powertrain Ground Tests
Engine maker says it is now preparing to start flight testing
GE Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration
GE Aerospace completed the latest phase of ground testing with a fully integrated hybrid-electric powertrain at its facility in Peebles, Ohio.

GE Aerospace has completed ground testing of a megawatt-class hybrid-electric propulsion system developed as part of NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. The engine maker announced the milestone on June 2 and said it is now preparing for flight tests that will involve a converted Saab 340 twin turboprop regional airliner.

According to GE, the latest tests were the first that evaluated a fully integrated system that includes motor/generators it has developed, as well as controllers and power converters and inverters. The group’s Dowty and Avio Aero divisions, respectively, provided propellers plus a gearbox and a CT7 turboprop engine. The hardware also includes batteries supplied by BAE Systems, and Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences provided the nacelle.