RTX advances hybrid-electric aviation at The Grid
Collins Aerospace completed integrated lab testing for the EU’s Clean Aviation SWITCH project at The Grid, advancing hybrid-electric powertrain subsystems for Airbus integration in 2027.
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has concluded integrated lab testing for the European Union’s Clean Aviation SWITCH project at The Grid, its electric power systems lab in Rockford, Illinois. The hybrid-electric powertrain subsystems, tested with simulated aircraft and engine systems, are now being sent to Airbus’s laboratories for aircraft-level integration, including battery interfacing and energy-management systems. The testing marked the largest integrated systems test at The Grid since its 2023 opening, according to Collins Aerospace’s vice president of Electric Power Systems, Kristin Smith.
The SWITCH project aims to improve engine efficiency for future short- and medium-range aircraft by integrating hybrid-electric systems with a Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine. This includes two Collins megawatt-class motor generators and controllers, with support from Pratt & Whitney for powertrain integration and engine controller supply. Airbus provided the interface controller for the aircraft’s energy-management system, while GKN Aerospace delivered the high-voltage wiring system. Collins will supply advanced electric system technologies, including four scalable electric motor/generators, next-generation controllers, and power distribution equipment to enhance reliability and passenger comfort.
Collins’ Nördlingen, Germany site will provide solid-state power controllers and power distribution panels to replace mechanical circuit breakers and relays, improving reliability and reducing weight. Testing for the SWITCH and LEIA projects will occur across multiple Collins facilities in Europe and The Grid, with demonstration tests planned for 2027. Pierre Durel, Project Officer at Clean Aviation, stated that SWITCH and LEIA are essential to making hybrid-electric short- and medium-range aircraft a reality, emphasizing the importance of European collaboration.
The SWITCH project is coordinated by MTU Aero Engines, while Collins also contributes to other Clean Aviation projects, including HECATE, AWATAR, OSYRYS, and PHARES, which advance electrification technologies for regional and short-to-medium-range aircraft. Clean Aviation, the EU’s aviation research program, has a €4.1 billion budget and aims to reduce emissions from short- and medium-range aircraft by at least 30% compared to 2020 state-of-the-art models.