RTX's Collins Aerospace completes prototype development of high-voltage power distribution components for Clean Aviation SWITCH project
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has completed prototype development of a solid-state power controller and power distribution panel for the SWITCH project, supported by the EU's Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. The megawatt-class power distribution components, developed at Collins' Nördlingen facility, will be tested at The Grid in Rockford, Illinois. The project aims to develop a hybrid-electric propulsion system combining Collins' megawatt-class electric motor generators with a Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine, supporting the aviation industry's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Collins Aerospace, un'azienda di RTX, ha completato lo sviluppo del prototipo di un controllore di potenza a stato solido e di un pannello di distribuzione della potenza per il progetto SWITCH, sostenuto dalla Joint Undertaking dell'UE per l'Aviazione Pulita. I componenti di distribuzione della potenza di classe megawatt, sviluppati presso lo stabilimento di Collins a Nördlingen, saranno testati presso The Grid a Rockford, Illinois. Il progetto mira a sviluppare un sistema di propulsione ibrido-elettrico che combina i generatori di motore elettrico di classe megawatt di Collins con un motore Pratt & Whitney GTF™, supportando l'obiettivo dell'industria aeronautica di raggiungere emissioni di carbonio nulle entro il 2050.
Collins Aerospace, un negocio de RTX, ha completado el desarrollo del prototipo de un controlador de potencia de estado sólido y de un panel de distribución de energía para el proyecto SWITCH, apoyado por la Iniciativa Conjunta de Aviación Limpia de la UE. Los componentes de distribución de energía de clase megavatio, desarrollados en la instalación de Collins en Nördlingen, serán probados en The Grid en Rockford, Illinois. El proyecto tiene como objetivo desarrollar un sistema de propulsión híbrido-eléctrico que combine los generadores de motores eléctricos de clase megavatio de Collins con un motor Pratt & Whitney GTF™, apoyando el objetivo de la industria de la aviación de alcanzar emisiones netas de carbono cero para 2050.
콜린스 에어로스페이스는 RTX의 비즈니스로서, SWITCH 프로젝트를 위해 고체 상태 전력 제어기 및 전력 분배 패널의 프로토타입 개발을 완료했습니다. 이 프로젝트는 EU의 청정 항공 공동 기업이 지원하고 있으며, 콜린스의 뇌르들링겐 시설에서 개발된 메가와트급 전력 분배 구성 요소는 일리노이 주 록포드에 있는 더 그리드에서 테스트될 예정입니다. 이 프로젝트는 콜린스의 메가와트급 전기 모터 제너레이터와 프랫 앤드 휘트니 GTF™ 엔진을 결합한 하이브리드 전기 추진 시스템을 개발하는 것을 목표로 하여, 항공 산업이 2050년까지 탄소 배출 제로를 달성하는 목표를 지원합니다.
Collins Aerospace, une entreprise de RTX, a terminé le développement d'un prototype de contrôleur de puissance à état solide et d'un panneau de distribution d'énergie pour le projet SWITCH, soutenu par l'initiative conjointe de l'UE sur l'aviation propre. Les composants de distribution d'énergie de classe mégawatt, développés dans l'installation de Collins à Nördlingen, seront testés à The Grid à Rockford, Illinois. Le projet vise à développer un système de propulsion hybride-électrique combinant les générateurs de moteurs électriques de classe mégawatt de Collins avec un moteur Pratt & Whitney GTF™, soutenant l'objectif de l'industrie aéronautique d'atteindre des émissions de carbone nulles d'ici 2050.
Collins Aerospace, ein Unternehmen von RTX, hat die Prototypenentwicklung eines Festkörper-Leistungsreglers und eines Energieverteilungspanels für das SWITCH-Projekt abgeschlossen, das von der Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking der EU unterstützt wird. Die Megawatt-Klasse Energieverteilungskomponenten, die im Werk von Collins in Nördlingen entwickelt wurden, werden im The Grid in Rockford, Illinois, getestet. Das Projekt zielt darauf ab, ein hybrides elektrisches Antriebssystem zu entwickeln, das die Megawatt-Klasse Elektromotor-Generatoren von Collins mit einem Pratt & Whitney GTF™-Triebwerk kombiniert und damit das Ziel der Luftfahrtindustrie unterstützt, bis 2050 Netto-Null-Kohlenstoffeinstellungen zu erreichen.
- Development of critical high-voltage power distribution technology for future hybrid-electric aircraft
- Strategic advancement in RTX's sustainable aviation technology roadmap
- Part of multiple demonstrator programs expanding RTX's market position in hybrid-electric technologies
- None.
Insights
The development of megawatt-class power distribution components for hybrid-electric aircraft represents a important technological milestone. The solid-state power controller and distribution panel are essential building blocks for enabling higher voltage systems that can handle megawatt-level power compared to current aircraft's kilowatt systems.
The integration of these components with the GTF™ engine and dual megawatt-class electric motor generators creates a sophisticated hybrid-electric architecture that could revolutionize aircraft propulsion. The successful prototype completion at Nördlingen positions RTX favorably in the race toward sustainable aviation, with potential applications across multiple aircraft platforms.
This development aligns with broader industry initiatives like NASA's Advanced Air Vehicles Program and demonstrates RTX's commitment to meeting the aviation industry's 2050 net-zero emissions goals. The technology's success could significantly influence RTX's market position in the emerging sustainable aviation sector.
New systems were produced at Collins' facility in Nördlingen,
NÖRDLINGEN,
To support hybrid-electric propulsion systems, new high-voltage distribution technologies are required as electric power levels increase from hundreds of kilowatts in today's aircraft, to megawatt levels in the aircraft of the future. For SWITCH, RTX is developing a new hybrid-electric propulsion system that combines two Collins megawatt-class electric motor generators within a Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine. With the ability to handle increased electric loads, Collins' solid-state power controller and power distribution panel will enable the safe management of high-voltage electricity at altitude throughout the SWITCH hybrid-electric architecture.
"Hybrid-electric aircraft are an integral part of the aviation industry's drive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, yet without new, safe high-voltage power distribution systems, they will not fly," said Tino Schuldt, general manager for Collins' Nördlingen facility. "Here in Nördlingen, we're leveraging our decades of experience in power distribution solutions and world-class facility to break new ground in the development of these critical enabling technologies for the next generation of hybrid-electric and all-electric platforms."
"The hybrid-electric propulsion solution is one of the key features offered by the SWITCH consortium to reach the CO2 reduction target of our programme for short-medium range aircraft," said Pierre Durel, project officer for SWITCH. "We are excited to see tangible technology bricks becoming available, representing the significant efforts made by the team to deliver critical items needed to run the ground test demonstrator by the end of Phase 1."
Hybrid-electric propulsion is a central pillar of RTX's sustainable aviation technology roadmap. In addition to SWITCH, RTX is advancing hybrid-electric technologies through multiple demonstrator programs applicable to a variety of future aircraft, including the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator, STEP-Tech and Airbus PioneerLab.
Collins' solid-state power controller was initially developed as part of a collaboration between the RTX Technology Research Center, Collins and Pratt & Whitney under NASA's Advanced Air Vehicles Program.
The SWITCH project is a collaborative consortium including MTU Aero Engines AG, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, Airbus and others. Funded by the European Union under GA no. 101102006 — SWITCH. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Clean Aviation. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
About Clean Aviation
The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking is the European Union's leading research and innovation programme for transforming aviation towards a sustainable and climate-neutral future. It is a European public-private partnership between the European Union and the private aviation sector. The programme's disruptive clean aviation technologies will help reduce CO2 emissions of short-medium range and regional aircraft by no less than
About Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is a leader in integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Our 80,000 employees are dedicated to delivering future-focused technologies to advance sustainable and connected aviation, passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration and more.
About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of
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