The STEP-Tech demonstrator platform addresses a variety of potential applications including advanced air mobility vehicles, high-speed eVTOL, and blended wing body aircraft.
Pratt & Whitney (P&W) and Collins Aerospace (Collins), both Raytheon Technologies entities, recently announced the launch of a new hybrid-electric technology demonstrator program applicable to future advanced air mobility vehicles. The STEP-Tech demonstrator will be based at the Raytheon Technologies Research Center in East Hartford; CT. Existing P&W-Collins collaborations on hybrid-electric technology include the regional aircraft flight demonstrator, based on a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 turboprop, and supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec.
The demonstrator’s primary focus will be developing high voltage distributed turboelectric hybrid-electric propulsion concepts in the 100-500kW class, with a potential to scale to 1MW and beyond. Successfully demonstrated technology could be implemented in a range of novel aircraft applications, including high speed eVTOL, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and small to medium sized commercial air transporters.
Geoff Hunt, senior vice president, engineering and technology, Pratt & Whitney said, “Innovation has always been at the heart of Pratt & Whitney, and we are delighted to expand our work on hybrid-electric technology by leveraging our close collaboration with Collins. Hybrid-electric offers the potential to not only unlock even greater efficiency in future aircraft, but also support the emergence of a whole new arena of advanced air mobility solutions. Ultimately our continual pursuit of advanced propulsion technologies will help enable aviation’s pathway to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.”
The Scalable Turboelectric Powertrain Technology (STEP-Tech) demonstrator broadens Pratt and Whitney and Collins Aerospace’s longstanding cooperation hybrid-electric technology improvement, which is a center component of the two company’s methodologies for driving sustainable aviation and empowering clients to accomplish the objective of net zero CO2 emanations by 2050.
The secluded and versatile nature of the STEP-Tech demonstrator platform empowers many arrangements to be quickly prototyped and illustrated. Having finished verification of idea concentrates on recently, ground testing with the platform is focused on to start in late 2022.
Henry Brooks, president, Power & Controls for Collins Aerospace, said, “With Pratt & Whitney’s track record in aircraft propulsion and Collins’ legacy of innovation in electric power systems, we are exceptionally well-positioned to lead the advancement of hybrid-electric technology for the next generation of sustainable aircraft. Our demonstrator programs will help mature technologies and components that can be adapted to a range of different applications, from smaller eVTOLs, to regional turboprops, to single-aisle airliners.”
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Hybrid-electric propulsion gives chances to enhance engine performance across various phases of flight, resulting in more noteworthy fuel efficiency and lower CO2 outflows across a scope of various airplane segments. Hybrid-electric technology is additionally exceptionally adaptable, which implies that motor components and electric control system created as a component of the demonstrator declared recently may ultimately uphold bigger scope applications, including single-aisle commercial aircraft.
