Engines
RTX Pools Power Expertise to Accelerate Propulsion Breakthroughs
Collins and Pratt & Whitney push for progress with multiple hybrid-electric applications
Pratt & Whitney engineer tests propulsors for the STEP-Tech program
At Pratt & Whitney's East Hartford facility, engineers are testing propulsors for potential new eVTOL aircraft powertrains. © RTX

Collins Aerospace has completed the preliminary design review (PDR) for the European Union Clean Aviation HECATE program,  which is working on new high-voltage distribution technologies that could apply to future hybrid-electric aircraft. HECATE, which stands for hybrid-electric regional aircraft distribution technologies, is now progressing towards demonstrating a 500 kilowatt (kW) powertrain to achieve the TRL5 level of technology readiness in 2025.

A consortium that includes engine maker Safran, Airbus Defence and Space, Leonardo, and several universities conduct the work. Collins, through its Applied Research & Technology organization and its Power & Controls business unit, leads the project’s steering committee, while Safran serves as technical coordinator.