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The RTX group has completed the preliminary design review for its hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator, part of the SWITCH project funded by the European Union’s Clean Aviation initiative. The milestone was reported on Monday at the Farnborough Airshow 2024 as part of ongoing efforts to demonstrate the potential for hybrid-electric and water-enhanced turbofan technology to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in future short- and medium-range airliners.
SWITCH stands for Sustainable Water Injecting Turbofan Comprising Hybrid-Electrics. The consortium behind the project includes RTX companies Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, along with MTU Aero Engines, GKN Aerospace, and Airbus. The demonstrator integrates a Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engine with two-megawatt electric motor generators from Collins Aerospace mounted on both the low and high spools of the engine.
Collins Aerospace has also developed motor controllers, high-voltage wiring, and batteries for the powertrain. Testing will take place at The Grid—Collins’ electric power systems development facility in Rockford, Illinois.
