Hybrid propulsion test, agriculture satellite, defense exports - Jan 4
Raytheon Completes Initial Testing of Hybrid-Electric Propulsion System
Raytheon Technologies ($RTX) successfully wrapped up its first engine test for its new regional hybrid-electric flight demonstrator. The test marks an important milestone toward actual flight tests, currently set to begin in 2024.
The hybrid-electric flight demonstrator utilizes efficient Pratt & Whitney engines with a 1MW electric motor provided by Collins Aerospace. This first run took place in Pratt & Whitney's Longueuil, Quebec, innovation center, and everything reportedly worked as expected. The new propulsion system integrates the fuel-burning Pratt & Whitney engine and electric motor from Collins Aerospace, which together are expected to reduce overall in-flight emissions by up to 30% compared to the most efficient comparable turboprops on the market today.
Future flight demonstrations will utilize a modified DeHavilland Canada Dash 8-100 to serve as the powerplant's platform. Other external contributors will include H55 S.A., in which Raytheon holds a minority stake, will supply battery systems, supported by the National Research Council of Canada and the Innovative Vehicle Institute. Ricardo PLC will also provide assistance with component design and system integration.
World's first agricultural-focused satellite launched
Dragonfly Aerospace's EOS SAT-1 was launched yesterday by SpaceX in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite was manufactured in Stellenbosch, South Africa, and will aim to provide agricultural and forestry-related data in order to further sustainable practices and help related industries align with United Nations SDG development goals.
The satellite blasted off in SpaceX's Transporter-6, after it was delivered to SpaceX's launch site in November 2022. EOS SAT-1 is the first of six satellites of the constellation expected to launch into orbit within the next three years.
EOS Data Analytics reached an agreement with Dragonfly Aerospace in 2021 to use Dragonfly's class µDragonfly satellite bus to house electro-optical imaging equipment that makes the EOS SAT-1's mission possible.
Boeing awarded $426 million contract for CH-47F Chinooks
The U.S. Army awarded Boeing ($BA) a $426 million contract to produce 12 new CH-47F Chinooks for the Egyptian Air Force on Tuesday. Approval for the purchase by the U.S. State Department came through May 26, and allows Egypt to purchase up to 23 "F" models and related equipment for $2.6 billion.
Turkish defense exports pass $4 billion for first time
Turkey's defense procurement agency confirmed that the country exported more than $4 billion of defense and aerospace equipment in 2022. The primary aerospace manufacturer was Baykar, which produces military drones and has sold them in 27 countries, with exports making up 98% of the firm's revenue.
Honeywell Aerospace selects AvAir as its exclusive distributor of 85- and 95- APUs
Honeywell Aerospace ($HON) announced this morning that it has exclusively selected AvAir to distribute 85- and 95- series auxiliary power units (APUs) for all commercial and defense applications worldwide. More than 1,400 aircraft utilize these APUs, and include the C130 and P3 in the defense sector, as well as the Boeing 737-CL in the commercial sector.