Aircraft
Safran Tests 'More Electric' Turboprop
The Tech TP technology demonstrator is based on Safran Helicopter Engines' Ardiden-3 turboshaft engine family, incorporating electrical power.
Safran Helicopter Engines maintenance tech closing engine cowling on TP Tech technology demonstrator aircraft.
Safran has been ground-testing a hybrid electric turboprop engine concept that could reduce fuel consumption on regional aircraft by 18 percent. (Image: Safran)

Safran this week completed ground tests with a “more electric” variant of its Tech TP turboprop technology demonstrator. The project, which is exploring new propulsion options for future regional fixed-wing aircraft, is being led by the French aerospace group's helicopter engines division and is based on its Ardiden-3 family of turboshaft engines for super-midsize rotorcraft.

The ground testing at Safran’s Tarnos site in France is part of the European Union-funded Clean Sky program to achieve net zero carbon emissions in aviation. Safran's TP Tech engine incorporates technologies from the Achieve project, which is focused on “advanced mechatronics devices for a novel turboprop electric starter-generator and health monitoring system.”