FutureFlight
GKN and Pratt & Whitney Collaborate on Hybrid-electric Demonstrator Project
The demonstrator will combine a one-megawatt electric motor with an existing Pratt & Whitney aircraft engine.
Raytheon Technologies' hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator aircraft
The Raytheon Technologies-led hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator project is expected to use a Dash 8 aircraft for flight testing due to start in 2024. (Image: Raytheon Technologies)

GKN Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney Canada are joining forces to develop the high-voltage, high-power electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) for the hybrid-electric flight demonstrator project led by Raytheon Technologies. The overall program seeks to achieve a 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and reduced carbon dioxide emissions compared with current regional airliners.

The propulsion system to be used for the demonstrator system combines a one-megawatt electric motor developed by Collins Aerospace with an as-yet-unspecified Pratt & Whitney engine. Both companies are part of the Raytheon Technologies group, and the project is based in Montreal.