Engines
Wright Steps Up Ground Testing for 2.5MW Electric Motor
The company aims to convert 100-seat airliners and military aircraft to electric propulsion
Wright Electric ground test rig
Wright Electric has started a new round of ground tests with electric motors at its Albany, New York headquarters.

Wright Electric has started ground-testing the electric propulsion system it is developing for aircraft in the 100-seat class. The company announced on April 25 that engineers have begun development work with its Wright Electric Aircraft Engine Test Cell (WEAETC) at its headquarters in Albany, New York.

The new test cell will evaluate the 2-megawatt Wright 1A motor with both a Lycoming LF507-F turbofan and a propeller from a C-130 military aircraft. In a second phase of ground testing, the company will start work on the 2.5MW WM2500 motor, featuring an integrated custom drive, that is being developed with backing from the U.S. government’s ARPA-E Ascend program.