GE GE Aerospace marks hybrid-electric first with Saab 340B FARNBOROUGH, England—GE Aerospace has flown its modified Saab 340B megawatt-class hybrid-electric testbed at 30,000 ft., representing a milestone for an electric propulsion system operating at standard commercial airline altitudes. The aircraft, which is on show at the Farnborough Airshow after being flown across the Atlantic from the U.S., incorporates a fully integrated megawatt-class hybrid-electric propulsion system in a modified nacelle in the No.2 right engine position, and retains the standard GE CT7 turboprop in the left position. Developed through the NASA Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project in collaboration with Boeing and Vermont-based electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft developer Beta Technologies, the first hybrid-electric flight above 30,000 ft. was completed on May 20. Commenting at Farnborough on NASA’s contribution, agency administrator Jared Isaacman said: “For nearly seven de...
