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PARIS - Pratt & Whitney Canada has completed full power testing of its integrated hybrid-electric propulsion system and batteries, marking a significant milestone in the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator project, according to a press release issued Monday.
The company has selected AeroTEC to support future flight testing of a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft while ground testing continues at its facility in Longueuil, Quebec.
The test represents the first battery-powered operation of the propulsion system, which combines a Pratt & Whitney Canada thermal engine with a 1 megawatt electric motor developed by Collins Aerospace, another RTX (NYSE: RTX) business. The 200 kilowatt-hour batteries were supplied by H55 S.A., a company supported by RTX Ventures.
"We are targeting up to 30% improved fuel efficiency compared to today’s regional turboprops," said Jean Thomassin, executive director of new products and services introduction at Pratt & Whitney Canada.
The project involves several collaborators including De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, which is providing baseline data and engineering expertise for the experimental aircraft. GKN Aerospace is supplying high-voltage electrical wiring and interconnection systems, while Ricardo is supporting the development of the hybrid-electric propulsion system.
Justin Morigeau, president of AeroTEC, said his company will lead the modification and flight testing of the experimental aircraft.
Hybrid-electric propulsion is part of RTX’s technology roadmap for improving fuel efficiency in future aircraft. Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace are also collaborating on other technology demonstrator projects, including the Clean Aviation SWITCH project, which is developing a hybrid-electric Pratt & Whitney GTF engine demonstrator.
In other recent news, RTX’s Pratt & Whitney unit has signed a 12-year EngineWise maintenance agreement with Cebu Pacific for its GTF engine fleet. This deal covers engines for up to 152 A321neo aircraft and 15 A320neo family aircraft, aligning maintenance costs with engine utilization. Additionally, Raytheon, a business unit of RTX, secured a $646 million contract to manufacture AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the U.S. Navy, as part of a larger contract worth up to $3 billion. The radar system enhances the Navy’s detection capabilities and will be produced at Raytheon’s facility in Andover, Massachusetts.
Collins Aerospace, another RTX division, has launched an engineering hub in Wolverhampton, UK, and a production line in Colomiers, France, to advance aircraft electrification capabilities. The facilities will focus on developing electric thrust reverser actuation systems, which could reduce aircraft system weight by 15-20%. In analyst updates, Jefferies raised RTX’s stock price target to $155, citing expectations for margin growth at Pratt & Whitney and the potential for increased defense budgets.
These developments underscore RTX’s ongoing strategic initiatives in aviation and defense. The company reported 2024 sales exceeding $80 billion, reflecting its significant role in the industry.
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