- Pratt & Whitney Canada announced a new phase in the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator project, beginning ground testing of the flight-standard propulsion system and propeller in Longueuil, Quebec.
- After ground testing, the hybrid-electric propulsion system will be installed on a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft, with first flight expected in 2027.
- The system combines a Pratt & Whitney Canada thermal engine, a 1-megawatt electric motor and motor controller from Collins Aerospace, and a battery system from H55 S.A.
- The hybrid-electric architecture aims to improve fuel efficiency by up to 30% for a typical 250-nautical-mile regional turboprop mission.
- The project involves collaboration with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, GKN Aerospace, AeroTEC, Ricardo, the National Research Council of Canada, and the Innovative Vehicle Institute, with support from the governments of Canada and Quebec.