LONDON, July 22,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Farnborough Air Show – RTX
(NYSE: RTX) today announced it has completed a significant
milestone in the development of its hybrid-electric STEP-Tech
(Scalable Turboelectric Powertrain Technology) demonstrator. The
company has successfully validated sustained operation of the
thermal engine, electrical generator, battery system and propulsors
to demonstrate energy transfer between these components through the
high-voltage electrical network.
As a modular demonstrator program, STEP-Tech is intended for
prototyping future distributed propulsion concepts in the 100-500kW
class, with capability to scale to 1MW and beyond. These concepts
could have application for a range of next-generation platforms,
including advanced air mobility vehicles, high-speed electric
Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft and blended wing body
aircraft.
"When combined with RTX's other hybrid-electric demonstrator
programs, STEP-Tech positions us to offer advanced propulsion
technologies that enable greater fuel efficiency across all future
aircraft segments, from advanced air mobility to large commercial,"
said Juan de Bedout, chief
technology officer for RTX. "These new hybrid-electric
architectures are key to our strategy for supporting the aviation
industry's goal of reduced carbon emissions and more sustainable
flight."
RTX has validated the capability of STEP-Tech's battery system
to start the thermal engine and use electrical power produced by
the turbogenerator to charge the batteries used to drive the
propulsor motors. This follows previous tests of each of
STEP-Tech's system components, including the first engine run at
partial power and the electrical system integration test. All tests
were conducted at the RTX Technology Research Center in
East Hartford, Connecticut, which
features a class-leading 800-volt electrical architecture designed
for aerospace applications.
In addition to STEP-Tech, RTX's other hybrid-electric propulsion
programs address a range of future aircraft applications up to
single-aisle, including the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight
Demonstrator, supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec, and the SWITCH project, which is
supported by the European Union's Clean Aviation Joint
Undertaking.
About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX
pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we
connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses
– Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are
advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and
developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing
to help global customers address their most critical challenges.
The company, with 2023 sales of $69
billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact
corporatepr@rtx.com
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtx-step-tech-hybrid-electric-demonstrator-continues-to-progress-in-lab-tests-302202170.html
SOURCE RTX