Raytheon Technologies has completed the first engine run of its regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator.
The milestone took place at Pratt & Whitney’s innovation facility in Quebec, Canada.
According to the American firm, the propulsion system utilized a 1-megawatt electric motor from Collins Aerospace and a highly-efficient Pratt & Whitney fuel-burning engine to fly.
Its hybrid-electric propulsion technology reportedly allows for reduction of fuel burn and carbon emissions by as much as 30 percent.
“Hybrid-electric propulsion technology offers significant potential to optimize efficiency across a range of different aircraft applications, helping our industry meet its ambitious goal for achieving net zero CO2 emissions,” Pratt & Whitney executive director Jean Thomassin said.
With the ground test program already underway, Raytheon says it will conduct more flight testing to accelerate the development of the next-generation technology.
Climate Strategy
The US military’s push to develop hybrid-electric propulsion technology is part of a climate strategy that aims to slash carbon emissions in half by 2030.
The army has already announced plans to replace its non-combat vehicles with an all-electric fleet.
The service also wants to field hybrid tactical vehicles by 2035 and fully-electric tactical vehicles by 2050.
Earlier this month, electric mobility developer Canoo delivered the first electric tactical vehicle to the US Army for testing and evaluation.
