Press Release Issued: Jun 19, 2023 (12:00am EDT)
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RTX advances hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator with 1MW motor rated
power milestone test
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PARIS, June 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PARIS AIR SHOW -- RTX (NYSE: RTX) has
achieved a critical milestone in its hybrid-electric flight demonstrator
program, successfully completing a rated power test of the demonstrator's 1
megawatt (MW) electric motor, developed by Collins Aerospace (Collins). The
1MW motor will be combined with a highly efficient thermal engine, developed
by Pratt & Whitney, as part of a hybrid-electric propulsion system that aims
to demonstrate a 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions
compared to today's most advanced regional turboprops. Collins and Pratt &
Whitney are both business units of RTX.
"With its industry-leading power density and efficiency, our 1MW motor will
help to significantly reduce aircraft carbon emissions by supporting
hybrid-electric propulsion architectures on the next generation of commercial
platforms," said Henry Brooks, president, Power & Controls for Collins
Aerospace. "As the motor's development continues apace, each milestone brings
us one step closer to hybrid-electric flight and our industry's shared
commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050."
Compared to Collins' most advanced electric motor generators flying today, the
1MW motor will deliver four times the power and twice the voltage, with half
the heat loss and half the weight. The company is developing the motor at
Collins' facility in Solihull, United Kingdom, and testing it at the
University of Nottingham's Institute for Aerospace Technology.
Following on from the first low speed engine run at a Pratt & Whitney Canada
facility in Longueuil, Quebec in December 2022, testing of the combined
hybrid-electric propulsion system – including both thermal engine and 1MW
motor – will continue through 2023. The propulsion system and batteries will
be integrated on a Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft, with flight testing
targeted to begin in 2024. The project is supported by the governments of
Canada and Quebec.
"Hybrid-electric propulsion technology offers significant potential to
optimize aircraft efficiency across a range of future aircraft applications
and is a key part of our technology roadmap for supporting more sustainable
aviation," said Jean Thomassin, executive director new products and services,
Pratt & Whitney Canada. "Aside from leveraging the deep expertise of Pratt &
Whitney and Collins engineers within RTX, our project draws from extensive
collaborations across Canada's aerospace ecosystem and around the world."
In addition to the hybrid-electric flight demonstrator, the 1MW motor will
also be part of the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ hybrid-electric powertrain planned
for the SWITCH project under the European Union's Clean Aviation initiative.
Future testing will be conducted at The Grid, the $50 million electric power
systems lab at Collins' Rockford, Illinois, facility slated to open later this
year.
About Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace is a business of RTX, the largest aerospace and defense
company in the world. Our global team of 73,000 employees dreams, designs and
delivers smarter, more connected solutions for passenger safety and comfort,
mission success, space exploration, and operational efficiency and
sustainability. We make the most powerful concepts in aerospace a reality.
About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of
aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. To learn more visit
www.prattwhitney.com. To receive press releases and other news directly,
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About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. Our global team of
180,000 employees pushes the limits of known science and redefines how we
connect and protect our world. We are advancing aviation, building smarter
defense systems and creating innovations to take us deeper into
space. Effective July 1, the company will complete its realignment into
three customer-focused business units — Collins Aerospace, Raytheon and
Pratt & Whitney. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is
headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
Media Queries
Collins Aerospace
Al Killeffer
+1 980-322-5087
alexander.killeffer@collins.com
Pratt & Whitney
Mads Neumann
+44 (0)744 757 7468
mads.neumann@prattwhitney.com
SOURCE Raytheon Technologies
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RTX tests 1 MW electric motor
RTX has passed a major milestone in its hybrid-electric flight demonstrator program. The company successfully tested its 1 MW electric motor, developed by Collins Aerospace, which will be paired with a thermal engine, developed by Pratt & Whitney. The system is designed to cut fuel use and CO2 emissions by 30% compared to advanced turboprops. RTX owns both Collins and Pratt & Whitney. The motor is being designed at Collins' UK facility and will be tested at the University of Nottingham. Flight testing is set to begin in 2024 on a Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft.
