GE Aerospace has completed ground testing of a megawatt-class hybrid electric engine system developed under NASA's Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project, marking a significant step towards future flight tests and the commercialisation of hybrid electric aviation technologies.
The company said the latest campaign was the first time it had successfully validated a fully integrated hybrid electric propulsion system, bringing together multiple technologies developed across its aerospace businesses and partner network.
According to GE Aerospace, the achievement advances efforts to develop next-generation aircraft propulsion systems that could improve efficiency, durability and operational flexibility for future commercial aviation.
The ground test campaign validated the complete hybrid electric powertrain rather than individual components in isolation.
The integrated system included:
The tests were conducted at GE Aerospace's Peebles Test Operation facility in Ohio, where engineering teams evaluated the system under conditions designed to replicate real-world aircraft operations.
During the campaign, engineers simulated multiple phases of flight, including taxi, take-off, climb and cruise.
GE Aerospace said the electric powertrain successfully powered the propeller while also generating power for the battery, demonstrating the system's ability to manage energy flows across different operating conditions.
The milestone represents a transition from years of individual technology development towards integrated system validation.
"Step by step, we're proving hybrid electric engine technology for next-generation commercial aircraft," said Arjan Hegeman, Vice President for Future of Flight at GE Aerospace.
He added that the successful test positions the company to prepare technologies capable of meeting future airline requirements for greater durability, efficiency and range.
Unlike conventional laboratory hardware, the test programme incorporated flightworthy components designed to meet the higher safety and reliability standards required for commercial aviation applications.
According to GE Aerospace, this approach supports the maturation of a commercial-grade hybrid electric propulsion architecture suitable for future aircraft development programmes.
Hybrid electric propulsion combines a traditional gas turbine engine with an electric powertrain, allowing aircraft to optimise power usage during different stages of flight.
The technology is attracting growing attention across the aviation sector as manufacturers seek new ways to improve aircraft efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.
GE Aerospace noted that hybrid electric systems are compatible with multiple fuel types and can be integrated with advanced engine architectures, including Open Fan concepts currently under development.
Hegeman described the latest achievement as a "major turning point" in understanding how hybrid electric powertrains can be applied to aviation.
The latest milestone forms part of GE Aerospace's broader work through the CFM International Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) programme, one of the industry's largest technology demonstration initiatives.
Introduced in 2021, the programme has accumulated:
According to GE Aerospace, the RISE programme is targeting more than 20% better fuel burn efficiency compared with commercial aircraft engines currently in service.
The company said work is continuing on aircraft and engine integration as technologies progress towards future ground and flight testing later this decade.
The latest ground test builds on more than ten years of hybrid electric propulsion research and development.
Key milestones achieved through NASA-supported programmes include:
GE Aerospace was awarded the NASA EPFD contract in 2021 to demonstrate flight readiness for hybrid electric technologies designed for single-aisle commercial aircraft.
Alongside its NASA-supported work, GE Aerospace has expanded collaboration efforts across the emerging electric aviation ecosystem.
In 2025, the company announced a strategic partnership and equity investment in BETA Technologies. The agreement includes plans to jointly develop a hybrid electric turbogenerator aimed at supporting future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) applications.
The partnership reflects increasing industry interest in hybrid electric propulsion not only for commercial airliners but also for next-generation regional aircraft and emerging mobility platforms.
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