Dutch regional aircraft developer Maeve is collaborating with Pratt & Whitney Canada on the design of its M80 hybrid-electric 80-seater regional aircraft, the partners said on July 24. With a range of up to 1,200 nm, the design aims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 40% relative to regional jet competitors while cruising at comparable speeds and altitudes.
“As a clean sheet design, the performance and efficiency of the Maeve M80 will be a game changer for the regional aviation market, combining advanced aerodynamics and a disruptive propulsion technology,” said Maeve chief technology officer Martin Nuesseler. “Working together with Pratt & Whitney Canada at this stage of the program will enable us to validate and optimize the design of the aircraft and hybrid-electric propulsion system.”
Maeve hopes the M80 will offer the performance of a jet and the cost-efficiency of a turboprop. The company is targeting service entry in 2032.
"Reaching the ambitious goals of reducing emissions and making aviation more sustainable will depend on combined efforts to accelerate technology innovation and drive collaboration in our industry," said Anthony Rossi, v-p of global sales and marketing for P&WC.
Forecasts call for the regional aircraft market to grow well into the next two decades, driven by a need for passenger capacities in the 70- to 90-seat range and better environmental performance. RTX said Maeve’s strategy centered on accessing the underserved market with a clean-sheet aircraft.