Raytheon Technologies completes critical test of 1MW motor for hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator

Raytheon Technologies has revealed it has achieved a critical milestone in its hybrid-electric flight demonstrator programme, successfully completing a rated power test of the demonstrator’s 1MW electric motor.

The design for the 1MW motor was originally unveiled at the Farnborough International Air Show in 2022. The motor, combined with a thermal engine designed by Pratt and Whitney, will form part of a hybrid-electric propulsion system that aims to achieve a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

The testing of the combined hybrid-electric propulsion system – including both the thermal engine and 1MW motor – will continue throughout 2023.

It will then be installed on a Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft, where flight testing will begin in 2024.

“Hybrid-electric propulsion technology offers significant potential to optimise 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 of New Products and Services at Pratt & Whitney Canada.

The 1MW motor will also form part of the Pratt & Whitney GTF hybrid-electric powertrain planned for the SWITCH project. Future testing for this project will take place at Collins Aerospace’s electric power systems lab, the Grid, which is slated to open later this year.