BAE Systems Battery Technology Powers GE Aerospace Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstration

BAE Systems Battery Technology Powers GE Aerospace Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstration

(IN BRIEF) BAE Systems’ advanced battery system powered the first flight test of GE Aerospace’s hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow. The aircraft, a modified Saab 340 B, demonstrated the potential of hybrid-electric propulsion to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in future commercial aviation. BAE Systems designed, developed and integrated the complete battery energy storage system, including a battery management system using advanced lithium-ion batteries. The milestone follows GE Aerospace’s recent ground test of a fully integrated hybrid-electric powertrain. BAE Systems and GE Aerospace will continue testing and refining the system as they work toward aviation certification.

(PRESS RELEASE) FARNBOROUGH, 21-Jul-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — BAE Systems has announced a milestone in sustainable aviation after its advanced battery system powered the first flight test of GE Aerospace’s hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator aircraft during the Farnborough International Airshow.

The demonstrator aircraft, a modified Saab 340 B, was used to show how hybrid-electric propulsion could help deliver fuel savings and lower emissions in future commercial aviation applications.

BAE Systems was responsible for designing, developing and integrating the complete battery energy storage system used in the test flight.

The system includes a battery management system using advanced lithium-ion battery technology, designed to provide higher power without adding unnecessary weight to the aircraft.

Trudy Palmer, Director of Airborne Power Systems at BAE Systems, said the company’s expertise in advanced battery technology and safety-critical battery management systems played an important role in supporting GE Aerospace’s flight test.

“Our expertise in advanced battery technology and safety-critical battery management system design was crucial to enabling GE Aerospace to achieve this landmark moment,” said Palmer.

She added that BAE Systems is proud to contribute to efforts aimed at creating a more sustainable future for air travel.

The flight demonstration follows GE Aerospace’s successful ground test last month of a fully integrated hybrid-electric powertrain.

BAE Systems said the Farnborough flight test represents an important step toward the commercialisation of hybrid-electric propulsion systems for narrow-body aircraft.

BAE Systems and GE Aerospace will continue to refine and test the system as they work toward aviation certification.

The demonstration highlights the growing role of advanced battery systems, power management and electrified propulsion technologies in the development of next-generation aircraft.

Media Contact:

Andrew McDowell
Head of Media, UK
+44 (0) 7796 256974
andrew.mcdowell3@baesystems.com

SOURCE: BAE Systems