Pratt & Whitney Completes Preliminary Design Review of Hybrid-electric GTF Engine

Pratt & Whitney completed the preliminary design review for a hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator engine under the European Union's Clean Aviation SWITCH project.

The system integrates Collins Aerospace electric motor generators with a Pratt & Whitney GTF engine, aiming to improve efficiency across all flight phases.

This hybrid system has the potential to significantly reduce fuel burn and emissions for future short- and medium-range aircraft.

"Completing the preliminary design review is a key milestone in demonstrating hybrid-electric technology's potential to enhance next-generation aircraft propulsion," said Juan de Bedout, chief technology officer, RTX. "We're leveraging our expertise and collaboration with Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, and the SWITCH consortium."

The SWITCH hybrid-electric propulsion system includes two megawatt-class electric motor generators on the GTF engine's low and high spools, along with motor controllers, high voltage wiring, and batteries. Testing will occur at Collins' facility, The Grid, in Rockford, IL, before assembling the full-scale GTF demonstrator engine.

The SWITCH project, a collaboration among MTU Aero Engines AG, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, and Airbus, aims to showcase hybrid-electric and water-enhanced turbofan technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.