Collins Aerospace Begins Hybrid-Electric Powertrain Testing for Clean Aviation

This article is based on an official press release from RTX / Collins Aerospace.

On March 16, 2026, Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, announced a major milestone in sustainable aviation by initiating testing for its electric motor drive systems. According to the official press release, this testing is a core component of the European Union’s Clean Aviation SWITCH project, which aims to revolutionize propulsion for future Commercial-Aircraft.

The testing is currently underway at “The Grid,” the company’s advanced electric power systems laboratory located in Rockford, Illinois. This phase marks a critical step in the development of hybrid-electric Propulsion technologies, which are designed to significantly reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency for future short- and medium-range commercial aircraft.

As the aviation industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize, hybrid-electric systems offer a viable near-to-medium-term solution. By transitioning from theoretical design to physical megawatt-class testing, Collins Aerospace and its European partners are moving hybrid-electric commercial flight closer to reality.

Inside the Powertrain Testing at “The Grid”

Advancing Megawatt-Class Systems

The current testing phase focuses on an integrated hybrid-electric powertrain subsystem. According to the company’s announcement, this subsystem includes two megawatt-class motor generators, advanced controllers, and comprehensive power distribution systems. Following successful validation, these key subsystems will be integrated into a hybrid-electric Pratt & Whitney GTF engine demonstrator for the next phase of testing.

“The Grid,” where these tests are being conducted, is a $50 million, 25,000-square-foot facility that officially opened in October 2023. Designed with an initial test capability of 8 megawatts, enough to power a small town, the lab allows engineers to evaluate full propulsion systems in real-world configurations rather than isolating individual components.

“The start of powertrain subsystem testing is a key step towards demonstrating the potential of applying more electric systems to future commercial aircraft. Hybrid-electric technology has the potential to transform aviation by enabling greater fuel efficiency across multiple future platforms, including next generation single-aisle aircraft.”
, Kristin Smith, Vice President, Electric Power Systems at Collins Aerospace

The Clean Aviation SWITCH Project

A Collaborative European Initiative

The SWITCH project, standing for Sustainable Water-Injecting Turbofan Comprising Hybrid-Electrics, is a major initiative funded by the European Union under the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. The consortium is coordinated by MTU Aero Engines AG and includes major aerospace players such as Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, Airbus, and various European research institutions.

The project’s primary objective is to develop a novel propulsion concept that merges hybrid-electric propulsion with Water-Enhanced Turbofan (WET) technology and Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine architecture.

Global Component Origins

The SWITCH powertrain is a testament to cross-border aerospace collaboration. Components were developed across multiple European research and development facilities before arriving in Illinois for testing. Collins Aerospace designed and produced the megawatt-class electric motors and controllers in Solihull, UK, while the power distribution components, including a solid-state power controller and distribution panel, were designed in Nördlingen, Germany. Additionally, GKN Aerospace developed and built the high-voltage electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) in Papendrecht, Netherlands.

Environmental Targets and Industry Impact

Pushing Toward Net-Zero

The environmental targets for the SWITCH project are ambitious. The initiative aims to improve fuel burn and energy consumption by 20% while achieving a 50% reduction in the climate impact of both NOx emissions and contrails compared to current state-of-the-art engines. Furthermore, the technologies are being designed to be fully compatible with 100% drop-in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and will be evaluated for future use with Hydrogen.

The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking targets reducing CO2 emissions of short-to-medium-range aircraft by no less than 30%, and regional aircraft by 50%. While fully electric aircraft remain limited by battery weight and energy density, hybrid-electric systems optimize the performance of fuel-burning gas turbines during energy-intensive phases of flight, such as takeoff, significantly reducing overall fuel consumption.

AirPro News analysis

We view the progression of the SWITCH project as a vital indicator of the aerospace sector’s pragmatic approach to decarbonization. By focusing on hybrid-electric architectures for single-aisle aircraft, RTX and its partners are acknowledging the current limitations of battery technology while still pushing for substantial, near-term efficiency gains. The integration of these systems into the proven GTF engine architecture suggests a clear pathway to commercialization, rather than a purely experimental endeavor. Furthermore, RTX’s broader strategy, which includes the hybrid-electric flight demonstrator for regional turboprops and the PioneerLab project, underscores a diversified, multi-platform commitment to electrification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SWITCH project?

SWITCH (Sustainable Water-Injecting Turbofan Comprising Hybrid-Electrics) is an EU-funded initiative aiming to combine hybrid-electric propulsion with Water-Enhanced Turbofan technology to reduce aviation emissions.

Where is Collins Aerospace testing the powertrain?

Testing is taking place at “The Grid,” a $50 million, 8-megawatt advanced electric power systems laboratory located in Rockford, Illinois.

What are the environmental goals of the SWITCH project?

The project targets a 20% improvement in fuel burn and energy consumption, and a 50% reduction in the climate impact of NOx emissions and contrails compared to current engines.

Sources

• RTX / Collins Aerospace Press Release