Collins Aerospace held ceremonies today at its Rockford, Illinois site to formally open a $50 million advanced electric power systems lab—dubbed “The Grid”—that is designed to explore step changes toward the future of hybrid and electric flight. Announced in 2019, the 25,000-sq-ft lab will build on knowledge the company has gained as a power systems supplier over multiple platforms for decades, including the 1.5-megawatt power management and distribution system aboard the Boeing 787.
The facility will have an initial test capability of eight megawatts, enabling Collins to develop cutting-edge electric motors, controllers, generators, and distribution systems, the company said. Collins cited plans to use The Grid to test a one-megawatt motor for the RTX hybrid-electric flight demonstrator and the European Union Clean Aviation Switch program. The facility also will test a one-megawatt generator for the Air Force Research Laboratory.
During the opening, the company displayed a one-megawatt motor and unveiled a 250-kilowatt motor. Collins further outlined a technology roadmap for a family of electric motors that can be scaled up or down to various aircraft segments.
“In the coming years, we will use The Grid to break new ground in the development of electric systems that are more powerful, more efficient, and lighter than ever before,” said Henry Brooks, president of Power & Controls for Collins Aerospace.