Collins Aerospace clean aviation project achieves preliminary design review
In line with plans to develop high-voltage distribution technologies for future hybrid-electric aircraft, Collins Aerospace has confirmed that the European Union’s Clean Aviation Hybrid-ElectriC regional Aircraft distribution Technologies project has achieved Preliminary Design Review (PDR).
The project is now on track to achieve TRL4 and Critical Design Review by the end of the year.
Comprised of multiple European aerospace industry partners, including Collins, Safran, Airbus Defence and Space, Leonardo and several universities, the HECATE consortium is led by Collins with Safran serving as technical coordinator.
“Hybrid-electric aircraft are a central pillar of the aviation industry’s drive to reduce carbon emissions, yet in order for these aircraft to fly, they will require new distribution technologies that can support significantly higher voltages,” said Mauro Atalla, senior vice president, Engineering and Technology for Collins.
Atalla also revealed the consortium is breaking new ground in the maturation of these critical technologies. “Public-private partnerships like Clean Aviation are essential to bringing new, sustainable aviation technologies to market and we look forward to flight testing HECATE under a potential Clean Aviation Phase 2 programme,” he added.
With HECATE targeting to develop a novel power distribution network to support hybrid-electric aircraft development, Clean Aviation’s project officer, Costin-Ciprian Miglan said the project’s PDR is a “very important milestone.” He also said the “tremendous work is the result of the proactive cooperation of 37 partners across 10 European countries.”
