NASA is working on a hybrid jet engine for airplanes

September 17 () –

NASA is working with GE Aerospace to design and build a hybrid electric engine for a future passenger aircraft, in the style of existing automobile engines.

In this hybrid jet engine, a fuel-burning core powers the engine and is assisted by electric motors. The motors produce electrical energy, which is returned to the engine itself, which reduces the amount of fuel needed to power the engine in the first place.

The work is being conducted as part of NASA’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project. This work aims to demonstrate this engine concept by the end of 2028 to enable its use in passenger aircraft as early as the 2030s.

This jet engine would be the first mild hybrid-electric jet engine in history. A “mild hybrid” engine can be partially powered by electric machines that function as motors and generators, according to NASA.

“This will be the first mild hybrid-electric engine and could lead to the first production engine for narrow-body passenger aircraft that is hybrid-electric,” said Anthony Nerone, who leads the HyTEC project from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. “It really opens the door to more sustainable aviation even beyond the 2030s.”

The hybrid-electric technology conceived by NASA and GE Aerospace could also be powered by a new small jet engine core.

One of the main objectives of the HyTEC project is to design and demonstrate a jet engine that has a core smaller but produces approximately the same amount of thrust than the engines currently used in single-aisle aircraft.

At the same time, the smaller core technology aims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. by an estimate of between 5 and 10%.