GE Aerospace and Beta Technologies have begun work to jointly develop a hybrid-electric turbogenerator to power various military and civil aircraft. Under the terms of a strategic partnership announced on Thursday, GE is making a $300 million equity investment in Beta, which is developing the CX300 and Alia 250 all-electric aircraft.
According to the companies, the new hybrid powertrain could be based on existing GE engines, such as the CT7 and T700 turboshafts. They are aiming to deliver improved range, payload, and speed for aircraft that include extended-range VTOL aircraft and new models that Vermont-based Beta might develop in the future.
The partnership is expected to capitalize on the Beta engineering team’s expertise in high-performance, permanent magnet electric generators. Apart from its established engine portfolio, GE is providing extensive experience with certification processes, electrical power systems, and large-scale manufacturing.
Hybrid Power for Helicopters and Airliners
Through a partnership with NASA, GE has been working for some time on hybrid-electric, high-bypass turbofan engines for the next generation of single-aisle airliners through the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration program. In March, GE announced that it is providing a CT7 engine for a joint project with helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky, which is working on its Hybrid-Electric Experimental VTOL demonstrator aircraft. In 2022, the aerospace group flew a megawatt-class, multi-kilovolt hybrid electric propulsion system at 45,000 feet.
Under the terms of the alliance with Beta, GE has the right to designate a director to join the start-up’s board. “Partnering with Beta will expand and accelerate hybrid-electric technology development, meeting our customers’ needs for differentiated capabilities that provide more range, payload, and optimized engine and aircraft performance,” said GE Aerospace’s chairman and CEO, Lawrence Culp.
In August, helicopter operator Bristow started testing an example of Beta’s CX300 conventional takeoff and landing electric aircraft on routes in Norway. Beta has signed up multiple other prospective users for the CX300, including Space Leasing Group, and expects this model to be certified and ready for commercial operations from 2026, with the Alia 250 eVTOL variant to follow around a year later.