Technology

Pratt & Whitney Canada advances hybrid electric propulsion for sustainable aviation

Pratt & Whitney will integrate this hybrid-electric technology into a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 flight demonstrator
The hybrid electric propulsion technology will allow the demonstrator to target a 30 per cent reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions, compared to a modern regional turboprop airliner.

Developing hybrid-electric propulsion technology is a core element of Pratt & Whitney’s strategy to make aviation more sustainable

16 July 2021: In a milestone achievement Pratt & Whitney Canada will be advancing its hybrid-electric propulsion technology and flight demonstrator program as part of a USD 163M CAD investment with the support of Canada and Quebec governments. The new hybrid-electric propulsion technology will drive significant improvements in aircraft efficiency by optimizing performance across the different phases of flight, allowing the demonstrator to target a 30 per cent reduction in fuel burn and COemissions, compared to a modern regional turboprop airliner.

Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada said, “Pratt & Whitney Canada is proud to be a leader toward ever more sustainable aircraft propulsion technologies and be an integral part of Canada’s green recovery plan. With a long-time commitment to sustainability and as Canada’s top aerospace investor in research & development, having invested USD 500M CAD annually, we are driving economic growth, innovation and workforce expertise to benefit the environment. Hybrid-electric technology has an important role to play in enabling the next step-change in efficiency for aircraft engines, and we are uniquely positioned to demonstrate this potential.

Developing hybrid-electric propulsion technology is a core element of Pratt & Whitney’s strategy to make aviation more sustainable. They are committed to continually advancing the efficiency of gas turbine engines across its portfolio, while supporting the wider use of sustainable aviation fuels, and pursuing alternative fuels. All these elements will be critical for the aviation industry to meet its goals to significantly reduce CO2 emissions by 2050. The company will continue to work with industry partners globally on a wide variety of projects targeted at increasingly sustainable aviation to benefit our customers and the environment.

P&WC is working with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) to integrate this hybrid-electric technology into a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 flight demonstrator. This demonstrator will include an advanced electric motor and controller from Collins Aerospace. P&WC will target ground testing in 2022, leading to flight testing of the Dash 8-100 demonstrator in 2024.

Dave Riggs, Chief Transformation Officer, De Havilland Canada said, “Canada has an opportunity to demonstrate environmental leadership in the aviation sector. De Havilland Canada has a legacy of innovation that has supported aviation in Canada and around the world for more than 90 years and we are immensely proud to be the first manufacturer of regional aircraft supporting the development of hybrid-electric propulsion technology. We look forward to collaborating with Pratt & Whitney Canada and governments in Canada to further the development of alternative, climate-friendly technology that holds much potential to contribute to more sustainable aviation.”  

As part of Canada’s green recovery plan, the Government of Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund is backing the technology demonstrator, which will help put Canada’s aerospace industry at the forefront of global efforts to make aviation more sustainable.