RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Canada advances hybrid-electric technology development
Ground testing of flight-standard engine and propeller for RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator begins in Quebec
LONDON, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At the Farnborough International Airshow, Pratt & Whitney Canada unveiled the next phase of its RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator project, marking the commencement of ground testing of the flight-standard propulsion system and propeller in Longueuil, Quebec. Upon completion of these tests, the hybrid-electric propulsion system will be fitted to the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 experimental aircraft, with the inaugural flight anticipated in 2027.
“Assembling the final, flight-standard propulsion system brings us one step closer to proving hybrid-electric technology in flight,” stated Jean Thomassin, executive director of New Products and Services Introduction at Pratt & Whitney Canada. “We are advancing thermal engine and hybrid-electric technologies that could enhance fuel efficiency and performance across diverse future aircraft applications.”
The hybrid-electric propulsion system integrates an advanced Pratt & Whitney Canada thermal engine with a 1-megawatt electric motor and motor controller crafted by RTX’s Collins Aerospace, alongside a battery system provided by H55 S.A., a Swiss company specializing in certifiable aviation energy storage systems.
This innovative hybrid-electric architecture is designed to deliver additional power during critical flight phases such as takeoff and climb, facilitating enhanced operational efficiency throughout the entire flight mission. The project aims to demonstrate potential improvements of up to 30% in fuel efficiency for typical 250-nautical-mile regional turboprop missions.
Furthermore, the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator project is fostering collaboration among top aerospace companies and research institutions within Canada and beyond. Key partners include De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, GKN Aerospace, AeroTEC, Ricardo, the National Research Council of Canada, and the Innovative Vehicle Institute.
This initiative receives support from the governments of Canada and Quebec, with the propulsion system verification phase backed by Strix, the organization overseeing Canada’s Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT), thanks to funding from the Government of Canada as part of its fifth wave of innovative research projects.
To learn more about how RTX is developing transformative technologies in Canada, click here.
Source: RTX (Raytheon) (2026-07-21 11:00:00)
