GE Aerospace, NASA collaborate on hybrid electric engine development using Passport engine

GE Aerospace is working with NASA to develop a hybrid electric demonstrator engine using a modified Passport business jet engine. “Together with NASA, GE Aerospace is doing critical research and development that could help make hybrid electric commercial flight possible,” said Arjan Hegeman, general manager of future of flight technologies at GE Aerospace. The project will embed electric motors or generators in the GE Passport high-bypass commercial turbofan with hybrid-electric components and supplement power during different phases of operations, the company said. It will conduct ongoing evaluations to inform an upcoming ground test. GE said the project hopes to advance electric aircraft engine technology and optimise performance. It added that the project could help accelerate the introduction of hybrid electric technologies for commercial aviation. The project is part of GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines’ collaboration on the CFM international revolutionary innovation for sustainable engines (RISE) programme, which was unveiled in 2021. The RISE programme encompasses a suite of new technologies, including advanced engine architectures like open fan, compact core, new combustor designs, and hybrid electric systems to be compatible with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). “We’re advancing state-of-the-art propulsion systems for next generation commercial aircraft with an important aim — to drive industry efforts to improve efficiency and reduce emissions compared to today’s aircraft engines,” said Hegeman. NASA had recently awarded GE Aerospace a contract for phase two of the HyTEC project to continue developing technologies for an aircraft engine core demonstrator test later this decade.