Collins Aerospace Systems plans to launch what it says will be the industry’s most advanced electric power systems lab, named The Grid.

Collins Aerospace will use the high-power, high-voltage lab to design and test systems like high-power generators for the next generation of electric aircraft, including commercial, military, business aviation, UAV and urban air mobility platforms.

The $50 million investment in the lab is part of a larger $150 million total investment Collins Aerospace expects to make in electric systems over the next three years. The company says it has already spent $3 billion on advancing its increasingly electric architectures over the past decade.

Work on the 25,000-square-foot lab is already underway in Rockford, Illinois. Collins Aerospace expects the lab to be complete and fully operational by 2021.

Revolutionizing air travel

Kelly Ortberg, CEO, Collins Aerospace, said:  “Collins is the innovation leader in electric systems and The Grid positions us to remain the world leader in the electrification of aircraft for decades to come.

“In the not-too-distant future, hybrid-electric and fully electric aircraft will revolutionize air travel as we know it, opening up new markets like urban air mobility while re-invigorating others like regional service to underutilized airports. They will help support a greener planet by reducing carbon emissions, and will help our airline customers by reducing operating costs and fuel consumption.”

Project 804

Among the first platforms to be supported by The Grid will be the recently unveiled United Technologies hybrid-electric flight demonstrator, Project 804. The goal of Project 804, developed by the company’s advanced projects group, is to re-engine and fly a regional turboprop aircraft powered by a 2 megawatt-class hybrid-electric propulsion system on a highly aggressive timeline. The advanced projects group combines the engineering expertise and experience of Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and UTC’s research centre.

Collins Aerospace will use The Grid to help design and test a 1-megawatt motor, motor controller and battery system in support of this goal.

The company says the 1-megawatt motor will be the aerospace industry’s most power dense and efficient to date, and the new motor and motor controller will be used to assist the demonstrator’s fuel-burning engine as part of its hybrid-electric propulsion system.

“The Grid will be one of a select few facilities in the world with the capability to test complete electric propulsion systems of this capacity,” Collins Aerospace said.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter