Elementary Mr. Watson: Routing Hunger Games—May the Traces Be Ever in Your Favor
Target Condition: Floor Planning Without a Floor
Happy’s Tech Talk #42: Applying Density Equations to UHDI Design
RTX's Collins Aerospace Develops High-Voltage Power Components for Clean Aviation Project
October 29, 2024 | RTXEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has completed prototype development of a solid-state power controller and power distribution panel as part of the SWITCH project, supported by the European Union's Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (Clean Aviation). Following design and production in Nördlingen, the megawatt-class power distribution components will now be shipped to Collins' state-of-the-art electric power systems lab, The Grid, in Rockford, Illinois for system integration testing.
To support hybrid-electric propulsion systems, new high-voltage distribution technologies are required as electric power levels increase from hundreds of kilowatts in today's aircraft, to megawatt levels in the aircraft of the future. For SWITCH, RTX is developing a new hybrid-electric propulsion system that combines two Collins megawatt-class electric motor generators within a Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engine. With the ability to handle increased electric loads, Collins' solid-state power controller and power distribution panel will enable the safe management of high-voltage electricity at altitude throughout the SWITCH hybrid-electric architecture.
"Hybrid-electric aircraft are an integral part of the aviation industry's drive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, yet without new, safe high-voltage power distribution systems, they will not fly," said Tino Schuldt, general manager for Collins' Nördlingen facility. "Here in Nördlingen, we're leveraging our decades of experience in power distribution solutions and world-class facility to break new ground in the development of these critical enabling technologies for the next generation of hybrid-electric and all-electric platforms."
"The hybrid-electric propulsion solution is one of the key features offered by the SWITCH consortium to reach the CO2 reduction target of our programme for short-medium range aircraft," said Pierre Durel, project officer for SWITCH. "We are excited to see tangible technology bricks becoming available, representing the significant efforts made by the team to deliver critical items needed to run the ground test demonstrator by the end of Phase 1."
Hybrid-electric propulsion is a central pillar of RTX's sustainable aviation technology roadmap. In addition to SWITCH, RTX is advancing hybrid-electric technologies through multiple demonstrator programs applicable to a variety of future aircraft, including the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator, STEP-Tech and Airbus PioneerLab.
Collins' solid-state power controller was initially developed as part of a collaboration between the RTX Technology Research Center, Collins and Pratt & Whitney under NASA's Advanced Air Vehicles Program.
The SWITCH project is a collaborative consortium including MTU Aero Engines AG, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, Airbus and others. Funded by the European Union under GA no. 101102006 — SWITCH. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Clean Aviation. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Target Condition: Floor Planning Without a Floor
08/27/2025 | Kelly Dack -- Column: Target ConditionBy a show of hands, how many PCB designers have been asked to start a layout without a board outline, keep-out zones, or even height constraints? How many have had to work within a specific enclosure before the schematic was finalized? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Starting a PCB layout without critical constraints is like hiring an interior designer to buy furniture and carpet for a house you haven’t even purchased yet, or, even worse, trying to fit four bedrooms' worth of furniture in a one-room cabin.
L3Harris Delivers Electric Thrusters for Lunar-Orbiting Gateway
08/12/2025 | L3Harris TechnologiesL3Harris Technologies has delivered three Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) thrusters to NASA for final testing before integrating them into the Power and Propulsion Element of the lunar-orbiting Gateway station.
Schneider Electric Reinforces India Strategy with Acquisition of Remaining Stake
07/31/2025 | Schneider ElectricSchneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 35% stake of Schneider Electric India Private Limited (“SEIPL”) from Temasek to reach full ownership.
Exro Provides Update on Facility Milestones
07/17/2025 | PRNewswireExro Technologies Inc., a leading clean technology company specializing in power control solutions for electric vehicles and energy storage, provides a further update on the satisfaction of the near-term strategic milestones established in connection with the company's US$30 million credit facility announced on May 16, 2025.
The Ultimate Dielectric Reference Is Here: iCD Launches Industry-Leading Materials Library
07/09/2025 | ICDIn-Circuit Design Pty Ltd (iCD), led by Managing Director Barry Olney, has just unveiled what is arguably the most comprehensive dielectric materials library ever compiled—the new standalone iCD Dielectric Materials Library.