RTX to collaborate on hybrid-electric system for Airbus PioneerLab helicopter demonstrator
RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada and Collins Aerospace have been chosen by Airbus Helicopters to develop a hybrid-electric propulsion system for the PioneerLab technology demonstrator. Based on an H145 helicopter, the project aims to achieve up to 30% improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions compared to conventional models.
The system will combine a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 engine derivative with two Collins Aerospace 250 kW electric motors and controllers through a common gearbox. Test flights are scheduled to begin in 2027 in Donauwörth, Germany. The project is supported by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Actions and the UK's Aerospace Technology Institute.
RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada e Collins Aerospace sono stati selezionati da Airbus Helicopters per sviluppare un sistema di propulsione ibrida-elettrica per il dimostratore tecnologico PioneerLab. Basato su un elicottero H145, il progetto mira a ottenere fino al 30% di efficienza carburante migliorata e riduzione delle emissioni di CO2 rispetto ai modelli convenzionali.
Il sistema combinerà un derivato del motore PW210 di Pratt & Whitney Canada con due motori elettrici da 250 kW di Collins Aerospace e controller attraverso un cambio comune. I voli di prova sono programmati per iniziare nel 2027 a Donauwörth, in Germania. Il progetto è supportato dal Ministero Federale tedesco per gli Affari Economici e le Azioni Climatiche e dall'Aerospace Technology Institute del Regno Unito.
RTx's Pratt & Whitney Canada y Collins Aerospace han sido elegidos por Airbus Helicopters para desarrollar un sistema de propulsión híbrido-eléctrico para el demostrador tecnológico PioneerLab. Basado en un helicóptero H145, el proyecto tiene como objetivo lograr hasta un 30% de mejora en la eficiencia del combustible y reducir las emisiones de CO2 en comparación con los modelos convencionales.
El sistema combinará un derivado del motor PW210 de Pratt & Whitney Canada con dos motores eléctricos de 250 kW de Collins Aerospace y controladores a través de una caja de cambios común. Los vuelos de prueba están programados para comenzar en 2027 en Donauwörth, Alemania. El proyecto cuenta con el apoyo del Ministerio Federal de Asuntos Económicos y Acciones Climáticas de Alemania y del Instituto de Tecnología Aeroespacial del Reino Unido.
RTX의 Pratt & Whitney Canada 및 Collins Aerospace는 Airbus Helicopters에 의해 PioneerLab 기술 시연기를 위한 하이브리드 전기 추진 시스템을 개발하도록 선정되었습니다. H145 헬리콥터를 기반으로 하는 이 프로젝트는 기존 모델과 비교하여 최대 30% 개선된 연료 효율성 및 CO2 배출량 감소를 목표로 하고 있습니다.
이 시스템은 Pratt & Whitney Canada의 PW210 엔진 파생 모델과 두 개의 Collins Aerospace의 250kW 전기 모터 및 컨트롤러를 공통 기어박스를 통해 결합할 것입니다. 시험 비행은 2027년 독일 도나우에르트에서 시작될 예정입니다. 이 프로젝트는 독일 연방 경제 및 기후 행동부와 영국의 항공 기술 연구소의 지원을 받고 있습니다.
Pratt & Whitney Canada et Collins Aerospace, appartenant à RTX, ont été sélectionnés par Airbus Helicopters pour développer un système de propulsion hybride-électrique pour le démonstrateur technologique PioneerLab. Basé sur un hélicoptère H145, le projet vise à atteindre jusqu'à 30% d'amélioration de l'efficacité énergétique et une réduction des émissions de CO2 par rapport aux modèles conventionnels.
Le système combinera un dérivé du moteur PW210 de Pratt & Whitney Canada avec deux moteurs électriques de 250 kW de Collins Aerospace et des contrôleurs via une boîte de vitesses commune. Les vols d'essai devraient commencer en 2027 à Donauwörth, en Allemagne. Le projet est soutenu par le ministère fédéral allemand des affaires économiques et du climat et par l'Institute of Aerospace Technology du Royaume-Uni.
RTX's Pratt & Whitney Canada und Collins Aerospace wurden von Airbus Helicopters ausgewählt, um ein hybrid-elektrisches Antriebssystem für den PioneerLab-Technologiedemonstrator zu entwickeln. Basierend auf einem H145-Helikopter zielt das Projekt darauf ab, bis zu 30% verbesserte Kraftstoffeffizienz und reduzierte CO2-Emissionen im Vergleich zu herkömmlichen Modellen zu erreichen.
Das System wird einen Abkömmling des PW210-Motors von Pratt & Whitney Canada mit zwei 250 kW-Elektromotoren von Collins Aerospace und Controllern über ein gemeinsames Getriebe kombinieren. Testflüge sind für 2027 in Donauwörth, Deutschland, geplant. Das Projekt wird vom Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz Deutschlands und dem Aerospace Technology Institute des Vereinigten Königreichs unterstützt.
- Potential 30% improvement in fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions
- Collaboration with major industry player Airbus Helicopters
- Leveraging existing expertise from other hybrid-electric demonstrator programs
- Government support from Germany and UK aerospace initiatives
- Test flights not scheduled until 2027, indicating a long development timeline
- Potential high development costs for new technology
Insights
The development of a hybrid-electric propulsion system for Airbus' PioneerLab by RTX's subsidiaries is a notable leap in aerospace technology. This project, focusing on a potential 30% improvement in fuel efficiency, addresses the increasing demand for greener aviation solutions. Hybrid-electric systems can significantly lower fuel consumption and emissions, aligning with global sustainability goals. The integration of Pratt & Whitney's PW210 engine with Collins Aerospace's electric motors underscores a sophisticated synergy of mechanical and electrical engineering. This collaboration could set a benchmark for future aviation innovations.
From an investor's perspective, this collaboration between RTX and Airbus marks a strategic move towards future-proofing their portfolios against rising environmental regulations. The projected 30% fuel efficiency improvement is substantial, potentially reducing operating costs for airlines and enhancing market appeal. Additionally, being backed by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Actions provides a stable financial ground for the project's development. Investors should monitor this project's progress as successful test flights could lead to significant revenue streams and bolster RTX's market position.
The PioneerLab project is a significant step towards reducing the carbon footprint of the aviation industry. By integrating hybrid-electric propulsion, the project aims to cut CO2 emissions drastically. Considering the aviation sector's substantial contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, a successful implementation could catalyze broader adoption of similar technologies. This aligns with global sustainability efforts and can position RTX as a leader in eco-friendly aviation solutions. Investors interested in sustainable investments may find this project particularly promising.
Project aims to demonstrate a fuel efficiency improvement of up to
For the PioneerLab demo, the helicopter's existing engines will be replaced by a hybrid-electric propulsion system comprised of a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 engine derivative linked with two Collins Aerospace 250 kW electric motors and controllers through a common gearbox. This hybrid-electric configuration is designed to enable optimized engine performance and improved efficiency, with the electric motors providing high torque capability during flight conditions such as take-off and landing. Test flights of the hybrid-electric propulsion system are targeted to begin in 2027 at Airbus Helicopters' site in Donauwörth,
"With world-class efficiency and reliability, Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW210 engine is very well-suited to perform as part of a hybrid-electric helicopter propulsion system," said Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada. "To help achieve the goals of this innovative project, we'll draw on expertise from our growing list of hybrid-electric demonstrator programs, including the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator, STEP-Tech and SWITCH."
"The combined 250 kW motor and controller we're designing for PioneerLab are part of our family of electric motors and controllers that can be scaled up or down to meet the future electrification needs of aircraft across multiple segments," said Henry Brooks, president, Power & Controls for Collins Aerospace. "By serving as part of hybrid-electric propulsion architectures or helping to electrify onboard systems, these motors and controllers will support the aviation industry's commitment to reduce carbon emissions from future platforms."
PioneerLab is supported by
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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