GE Aerospace Saab 340B Testbed Marks Hybrid-Electric Takeoff Milestone

GE Aerospace’s modified Saab 340B megawatt-class hybrid electric testbed has successfully demonstrated the use of electrically augmented power during takeoff, marking the first time an aircraft designed to operate at commercial airliner altitudes has employed hybrid propulsion for this phase of flight.

The tests were conducted in October with BETA Technologies, the electric propulsion specialists which also partnered with GE Aerospace on the original development of the aircraft through the NASA Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project.

GE Aerospace notes that initial data from the tests, which took place at BETA’s flight test facility in Plattsburgh, New York, indicated the aircraft generated noticeably less noise on takeoff using hybrid power. The hybrid electric propulsion system is installed in a modified nacelle in the No.2 right engine position, while the Saab 340B’s standard GE CT7 turboprop is retained in the left position.

Although the earlier tests during the initial EPFD campaign extensively evaluated the megawatt class and multi-kilovolt powertrain in flight, the system was only previously used to boost power during climb and cruise, as well as for power regeneration during cruise and descent phases.

Culminating with the world’s first hybrid electrically powered flight above 30,000 ft., a milestone achieved on May 20, the original test program also involved Boeing and wrapped up with a series of demonstrations that included a transatlantic flight to attend the Farnborough International Airshow in July.

Hybrid power technology proved during the Saab 340B flight test effort are “building blocks” paving the way for application on the CFM Open Fan engine in development under the joint GE Aerospace and Safran RISE technology demonstration program, adds Arjan Hegeman, Vice President of Future of Flight Engineering, GE Aerospace.

“Step by step, we’re proving out a suite of next-generation technologies, from hybrid systems to Open Fan architecture,” says Hegeman.

News of the latest hybrid-electric test milestone was disclosed during the Up.Summit industry event in Florida where the aircraft was on display.