At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on Thursday (July 27th), GE Aerospace unveiled a new livery for their hybrid-electric aircraft testbed. For the test flight, GE has partnered with Boeing and their Aurora Flight Sciences subsidiary using a modified GE CT7-powered Saab 340B.
On Thursday (July 27, 2023), at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, GE Aerospace unveiled a new livery design for their hybrid-electric aircraft testbed for NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, a landmark effort to help prove the feasibility of hybrid electric flight for commercial aviation. The new livery features a pristine white fuselage bisected diagonally on the tail in a striking shade of atmosphere blue with the GE Aerospace logo showcased on the rudder. For the test flights, GE Aerospace has partnered with Boeing and their Aurora Flight Sciences subsidiary using a modified Saab 340B aircraft powered by GE’s CT7 engines. GE Aerospace is developing an integrated megawatt-class hybrid electric propulsion system for ground and flight tests in the middle of this decade.
In Thursday’s announcement, GE Aerospace’s General Manager of Advanced technology, Arjan Hegeman, said,
“GE Aerospace envisions a more electric future of flight. Our research collaborations with NASA continue to advance state-of-the-art propulsion systems with an important aim — to drive industry efforts to improve efficiency and reduce emissions compared to today’s aircraft engines.”
Testing at the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) facility near Sandusky, Ohio, has simulated testing of the aircraft at over 45,000 feet. Currently, NEAT is the only facility capable of simulating high-electric and high-altitude conditions, that is also large enough to accommodate an electric powertrain.
Also commenting on the aircraft testbed development, GE Aerospace’s Vice President for Engineering, Mohamad Ali, added,
“This proves that we are altitude ready. Next is to prove that we are flight ready.”
GE Aerospace's Industry-Leading Hybrid-Electric Technology Development - Courtesy GE Aviation
GE Aerospace is a world leader in the production of jet engines, components and systems for commercial and military aircraft, and operates a global service network to support these offerings. The company and their joint ventures have an installed base of over 40,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines.
Source: GE Aerospace