Advanced Air Mobility (eVTOL)
Pratt & Whitney Canada begins ground testing hybrid-electric propulsion system for RTX flight demonstrator
Pratt & Whitney Canada has started ground testing the flight-standard propulsion system and propeller for the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator in Longueuil, Quebec. Following the ground test, the hybrid-electric system will be installed on a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft, with first flight expected in 2027. The propulsion system combines a Pratt & Whitney Canada thermal engine with a 1-megawatt electric motor and motor controller from Collins Aerospace, plus a battery system from H55 S.A. The project aims to demonstrate up to 30% improved fuel efficiency for a typical 250-nautical-mile regional turboprop mission. The initiative is supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec, with the propulsion system verification phase backed by Strix through Canada's INSAT program.