RTX’s Collins Aerospace has begun initial testing of electric motor drive systems for the EU Clean Aviation SWITCH project, a collaboration that aims to demonstrate hybrid‑electric propulsion on a full‑scale Pratt & Whitney GTF engine demonstrator.
The tests are taking place in the company’s “The Grid” laboratory in Rockford, Illinois, a 25,000‑square‑foot facility that opened in October 2023 and can deliver up to 8 MW of power. The lab is validating motor generators, controllers and power distribution systems that will later be integrated into the GTF demonstrator.
The SWITCH project, funded by the EU under GA no. 101102006, brings together MTU Aero Engines, Airbus, GKN Aerospace and other partners. It targets a 20 % improvement in fuel burn and a 50 % reduction in NOx emissions, while also aiming to cut the climate impact of regional aircraft by 75 % when powered by net‑zero CO₂ sustainable aviation fuel.
“The start of powertrain subsystem testing is a key step towards demonstrating the potential of applying more electric systems to future commercial aircraft,” said Kristin Smith, Vice President of Electric Power Systems at Collins Aerospace. The milestone positions RTX to capture a growing hybrid‑electric market that analysts project to grow at a CAGR of 15–32 % through 2033.
By validating the core components in a controlled environment, RTX is moving closer to delivering fuel‑efficient, low‑emission powertrains for short‑ and medium‑range aircraft, aligning with the EU’s 30–50 % CO₂ reduction target for regional airliners. The project also reinforces RTX’s broader clean‑aviation strategy and could open new revenue streams as airlines seek greener propulsion solutions.
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