Riona Armesmith, Chief Project Engineer, Hybrid Electric Propulsion, is leading the Bristol team’s quest and recognises the scale of the challenge.
She said: “The majority of engineering testing is carried out to prove something that has already been largely validated on another vehicle or through computer simulation. But this is testing at the limits – to actually see if we can make PGS1 work and to generate data which will allow us to validate our models for the first time.
“The challenge of this type of hybrid technology at this level of power is really about weight and thermal management. Batteries weigh more than kerosene and once you have added on cables, power electronics and the cooling systems for each component you also have unavoidable increased complexity.
“So we have to make PGS1 as light, reliable and simple to operate as possible. And if we achieve that we will be in a great position, with a fully-integrated and ground-tested power and thermal management system. It means whenever anyone comes forward with a hybrid or all-electric aircraft concept requiring MW power, we will be ready to go.”