Collaborators of NASA’s Project Unveil Striking Liveries for Two Hybrid Electric Aircraft

GE Aerospace and magniX have unveiled the liveries of their hybrid electric aircraft set to participate in NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EFPD) project. The much-anticipated reveal took place at the Oshkosh air show in Wisconsin, US, which is known as the world’s largest air show, on July 25, 2023.

As part of the EPFD initiative, GE Aerospace is dedicated to developing a megawatt-class hybrid electric powertrain, aiming to conduct ground and flight tests during the mid-2020s. To carry out the hybrid electric test flights, GE Aerospace is collaborating with Boeing and its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, using a modified Saab 340B aircraft powered by GE’s CT7 engines. These flight test campaigns will be based at Aurora Flight Sciences’ facilities, including in Manassas, Virginia.

On the other hand, magniX will be partnering with AeroTEC and Air Tindi to demonstrate their hybrid powertrain technology installed on a modified De Havilland Dash 7 aircraft. The test campaigns for this project will take place at the AeroTEC Flight Test Center located in Moses Lake, Washington.

Both industry partnerships will play a pivotal role in integrating the electric aircraft propulsion systems into the flight demonstrators, assisting with overall design, modifications, and conducting the necessary flight tests.

The EPFD project’s primary objective is to expedite the transition of hybrid propulsion systems with megawatt (MW) power capacities to short-haul turboprop aircraft carrying 30-70 passengers, as well as regional single-aisle commercial airliners carrying up to 180 passengers. Additionally, EPFD will contribute to the development of new standards for the next generation of hybrid electric aircraft.

NASA has set a target to perform at least two flight demonstrations within the next five years, with the aim of introducing electric aircraft propulsion (EAP) systems to the US commercial fleet between 2030 and 2035.

Arjan Hegeman, the general manager of advanced technology for GE Aerospace, expressed their vision for a more electric future of flight and emphasized that the research collaborations with NASA are essential to drive industry efforts in enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions compared to conventional aircraft engines.