BAE Systems to participate in NASA's hybrid aircraft programme

UK-based defence company BAE Systems will design, test, and supply energy management components for NASA’s hybrid-electric aircraft technology demonstrator.

The company was chosen by GE Aviation to provide energy management 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. The project includes ground and flight-test demonstrations to be conducted over the next five years.

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“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,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “This effort continues our longstanding relationship with GE.”

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

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BAE Systems has over 25 years of experience developing and integrating electric propulsion systems for buses, boats, heavy-duty trucks, and military vehicles. The company also has more than 40 years of experience in controls and avionics for military and commercial aircraft.

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