GE Aviation has chosen Boeing to support its efforts to advance hybrid electric and electric propulsion systems. The programme is part of NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, which will receive $260 million of funding over five years.
Boeing will modify a Saab 340B aircraft with CT7-9B turboprop engines to perform flight tests of GE Aviation’s hybrid-electric propulsion system.
Mohamed Ali, Vice President & General Manager - Engineering, GE Aviation, said, “NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project is an opportunity for GE Aviation and Boeing, world leaders in aviation technologies, to show hybrid electric propulsion is real and possible for the future of commercial flight to reduce carbon emissions.”
Boeing and its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences will do the modification work related to airplane modification, system integration, and flight-testing services.
NASA and GE Aviation had earlier announced the launch of a new research partnership to mature a megawatt (MW) class hybrid-electric propulsion system to demonstrate flight readiness for single-aisle aircraft. Ground and flight tests are planned for in the mid-2020s.