GE Aerospace Partners with NASA, BETA Technologies, and Boeing on World’s First High-Altitude Hybrid Electric Flight at FIA26

ASIM, Jul 20

GE Aerospace has announced a major industry first at the Farnborough International Airshow: the first successful hybrid-electric flight above 30,000 feet, achieving commercial flight altitude levels for over two hours in hybrid operation.

Developed in collaboration with @NASA, @BETA Technologies, and @Boeing (Aurora Flight Sciences), the groundbreaking test campaign utilized a modified Saab 340B testbed:

🔹 Megawatt-Class System: Powered by GE Aerospace’s integrated megawatt-class and multi-kilovolt hybrid propulsion system, developed under NASA’s EPFD project. 🔹 Strategic Integration: Features batteries supplied by BAE Systems and systems integration led by BETA Technologies, whose pilots ferried the aircraft across the North Atlantic to the UK. 🔹 Key Advantages: Enhances high-altitude performance and fuel efficiency, laying the groundwork for next-generation narrowbody aircraft engines under the CFM RISE program.

✈️ Attendees can see the Saab 340B hybrid testbed on static display and flying during daily flight demonstrations at FIA26.

Hashtags: #GEAerospace #BETATechnologies #Boeing #NASA #HybridElectric #AviationInnovation #CFMRISE #EPFD #FIA2026 #ASIMNews