Key facts
- GE Aerospace performed the first high-altitude flight using hybrid-electric propulsion.
- The flight occurred above 30,000 feet on a Saab 340 aircraft.
- The technology is a collaboration with NASA and BETA Technologies.
- Hybrid-electric propulsion is part of GE's RISE engine concept.
- The system aims to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
GE Aerospace has successfully conducted the world's first high-altitude flight utilizing hybrid-electric propulsion, showcasing the technology at the Farnborough Airshow. The flight, which took place above 30,000 feet on a modified Saab 340 aircraft, is part of ongoing trials that began in May. This advancement is a collaboration with NASA and electric aerospace company BETA Technologies.
The hybrid-electric system combines traditional and electric propulsion to help aircraft ascend faster, contributing to ambitious goals for reduced fuel consumption and emissions. BETA CEO Kyle Clark described it as leading to the "next step in aviation propulsion." This technology is a key component of CFM's RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program, co-owned by GE and Safran, which is exploring building blocks for future jet engines.
While GE Aerospace Commercial Engines CEO Mohamed Ali called the hybrid system a "significant enabling technology," industry sources suggest Boeing has reservations about the weight of such systems. Ali acknowledged that trade-offs between weight and performance are standard in engine design. Rivals Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce are also expected to provide updates on their engine research.