GE Aviation has chosen BAE Systems to supply energy management equipment and expertise for the recently announced hybrid-electric propulsion technology demonstrator program. The companies announced on April 21 that as part of the NASA research project, BAE Systems will design, test, and supply energy management components for electric aircraft in the megawatt power class.
NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project aims to advance hybrid electric technologies for commercial aviation. The project calls for the execution of ground and flight-test demonstrations over the next five years.
“We are harnessing our expertise in energy management systems and flight critical controls to support the development of electric propulsion systems for the future of flight,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “This effort continues our longstanding relationship with GE.”
Along with energy storage, BAE Systems will provide the high-integrity controls and cables for the demonstrator’s power management system, which GE will test on CT7-9B turboprop engines. BAE Systems also said it will provide guidance for electric flight certification requirements.
“We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with BAE Systems on this demonstrator to advance energy storage systems at altitude,” said Mohamed Ali, vice president, and general manager of engineering for GE Aviation. “GE Aviation is leading the development of hybrid-electric technology for commercial aviation through this NASA collaboration. Energy management is an important component of our research program toward a more electric future of aviation with reduced carbon emissions and less reliance on fossil-based jet fuels.”
The companies will work on the project at BAE Systems’ facility in Endicott, New York. Last December BAE Systems committed to making what it called a multimillion-dollar investment in its Endicott operations to support the development and advanced manufacturing of subsystems for electric aircraft. The investment upgrades the UK-based group's capabilities in engineering development and manufacturing and covers the cost of adding a laboratory dedicated to energy storage, controls, and power conversion systems for aviation applications.
