BAE Systems has been selected by GE Aviation to provide energy management solutions for the recently announced hybrid electric technology demonstrator programme. As part of the NASA research project, BAE Systems will design, test, and supply energy management components for electric aircraft in the megawatt-power class.

NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project aims to progress hybrid electric flight technologies for commercial aviation, and includes ground and flight-test demonstrations to be conducted over the next five years.

Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems, said: “We are harnessing our expertise in energy management systems and flight critical controls to support the development of electric propulsion systems for the future of flight. This effort continues our longstanding relationship with GE.”

In addition to energy storage, BAE Systems will provide the high-integrity controls and cables for the demonstrator’s power management system, which will be tested on CT7-9B turboprop engines. The company will also leverage its investment in aircraft electrification and expertise in flight-critical systems to provide guidance for electric flight certification requirements.

Mohamed Ali, GE Aviation’s vice president and general manager of engineering, said: “We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with BAE Systems on this demonstrator to advance energy storage systems at altitude. GE Aviation is leading the development of hybrid electric technology for commercial aviation through this NASA collaboration. Energy management is an important component of our research programme toward a more electric future of aviation with reduced carbon emissions and less reliance on fossil-based jet fuels.”

BAE Systems has over 25 years’ experience in developing and integrating electric propulsion systems for buses, boats, heavy-duty trucks, and military vehicles. The company also has more than 40 years’ experience in controls and avionics for military and commercial aircraft. Work on the project will be conducted at the company’s facility in Endicott, New York.