GE Aerospace has completed ground testing of a megawatt-class hybrid electric engine system developed under NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, marking a significant milestone toward future flight testing.
The test campaign validated the performance of a fully integrated hybrid electric propulsion system, including GE Aerospace-developed motor/generators, power converters, inverters, controllers, Dowty propellers, Avio Aero gearboxes, and a CT7 engine. The system also incorporated batteries supplied by BAE Systems and a nacelle provided by Aurora Flight Sciences.
Conducted at GE Aerospace’s Peebles Test Operation in Ohio, the tests simulated multiple flight phases, including taxi, takeoff, climb, and cruise. The hybrid electric powertrain successfully powered the propeller while also generating energy to recharge the battery system.
According to GE Aerospace, the use of flightworthy components designed to meet commercial aviation safety and reliability standards represents a major step toward developing next-generation hybrid electric propulsion technologies.
The milestone builds on more than a decade of component testing and technology maturation. Hybrid electric engine systems combine electric propulsion with conventional gas turbines to improve efficiency, durability, and operational range, while supporting future advanced engine architectures and alternative fuel solutions.
