Collins Aerospace Advances Hybrid-Electric Powertrains at The Grid

The powertrain components, which include megawatt-class motor generators and controllers, demonstrated effective operation when paired with simulated engine systems. These subsystems are now moving to Airbus laboratories to undergo rigorous testing regarding battery interfacing and energy management. This milestone represents the most significant integrated systems evaluation conducted at The Grid since its 2023 inauguration.

SWITCH focuses on enhancing engine efficiency for short- and medium-range aircraft by incorporating hybrid technology onto Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. The effort relies on a coalition of industry experts, including GKN Aerospace, which provided the high-voltage wiring, and Pratt & Whitney, which managed powertrain integration. Following this success, the facility will pivot to the LEIA project—a large-scale demonstrator aimed at advancing high-voltage generation and distribution architectures. Collins will serve as the technical lead for energy sources, supplying scalable motor generators and solid-state power controllers from its Nördlingen, Germany site to improve weight efficiency and system reliability.