GE Aerospace demonstrates hybrid electric propulsion system for U.S. Army

GE Aerospace successfully demonstrated a hybrid electric propulsion system rated at one megawatt as part of a research and development contract from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL).

Under the Applied Research Collaborative Systematic Turboshaft Electrification Project (ARC-STEP) contract, GE Aerospace conducted research, development, testing, and evaluation of a megawatt (MW) class electrified powerplant that further identified and matured technologies applicable to future Army air vehicle propulsion as well as military electrified ground vehicles.

The successful demonstration involved a CT7 turboshaft engine combined with GE Aerospace-produced electric machine and power electronics. Throughout testing – which was conducted at the GE Aerospace Research Center in Niskayuna, New York – subject matter experts from both the U.S. Army and GE Aerospace investigated and integrated technologies that enable lightweight, efficient, reliable, and safe hybrid-electric propulsion systems. The impact of hybrid electric propulsion on the efficiency and effectiveness of various platform types was also examined.

Efforts under this Army contract complement GE Aerospace efforts in hybrid electric propulsion, including the Hybrid Electric Experiment (HEX) program with Sikorsky and the NASA Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, to mature a MW-class integrated hybrid electric powertrain and demonstrate flight readiness for single-aisle aircraft. ARC-STEP, HEX, and EPFD are helping GE Aerospace to continue building extensive experience with hybrid electric systems and electrical power generation.