Engines
U.S. Air Force Backs VerdeGo’s VH-4T Hybrid-electric Powerplant
Afwerx funds VerdeGo's 400-kW turbine generator development
VerdeGo Aero's VH-4T iron bird
VerdeGo Aero has constructed a ground-based iron bird test rig for the VH-4T turbine hybrid-electric powerplant at its R&D facility in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The U.S. Air Force’s Afwerx innovation unit has awarded VerdeGo Aero a $1.24 million contract for the development and testing of a hybrid-electric propulsion system that could power military aircraft. Under the Phase 2 small business innovation research (SBIR) contract, the Air Force aims to test VerdeGo’s VH-4T-RD turbine hybrid powerplant in experimental uncrewed aircraft, including eVTOL models.

VerdeGo says it has already begun building its first prototype of the powerplant and intends to begin testing the 380-kilowatt system in May. It has set up a full-scale “iron bird” ground test rig operational at its research and development center in Daytona Beach, Florida, a company spokesperson told AIN. The company expects the subsequent production version of the VH-4T to have a greater power output of 415 kilowatts.

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