Honeywell's 1-megawatt generator has been selected by Flying Whales Quebec to supply power for its new hybrid-electric airship, the LCA60T. Based in France and Canada, Flying Whales is developing the 200-metre-long vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft for the heavy load transport market.

The proven high-power density and efficiency of Honeywell's system allows it to integrate smoothly with propulsion and operational systems for piloted or autonomous aircraft. It can also be used as a 1-megawatt motor without modifications for electric propulsion engines. Aboard the LCA60T, the generator will create a hybrid propulsion system by being integrated with a gearbox and a turbine that uses jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The Honeywell generator will supply electrical power to the electric engines, thereby creating a more efficient and sustainable form of travel, similar to the way hybrid-electric cars function.

“Honeywell's 1-megwatt generator is a perfect fit for a transformational aircraft like the LCA60T,” says Dave Marinick, president, Engines and Power Systems, Honeywell Aerospace. “Our generator is four times as powerful as any other generator flying today, and at unmatched power density. We believe in creating a more sustainable future for aviation, and our work with Flying Whales is helping bring that future to life.”

The LCA60T is a heavy-duty rigid airship with a 60-tonne payload capacity. It is 200 metres long with a 96m by 8m by 7m high cargo bay supported by 10 non-pressurized helium cells. It is powered by a 4-megawatt hybrid electric propulsion chain. Like all aircraft, the LCA60T will be certified to ensure maximum operating safety. Originally designed to transport renewable wood resources from hard-to-access areas, LCA60T's unique stationary hovering design for loading and unloading is ideal for overcoming numerous logistical and technical problems in remote areas, and it has a remarkably low environmental footprint. This solution overcomes all ground constraints to transport large and heavy loads at a low cost. Flying Whales intends to fly the first LCA60T in 2025 and plans to manufacture 150 aircraft in the next 10 years.

“We are pleased and proud to welcome Honeywell, which joins us in developing the next generation of propulsion systems. This important collaboration completes and strengthens our Canadian consortium to develop and manufacture our high-power turbogenerator. Today, we are building in Canada the expertise and technological advancements for tomorrow's aeronautics,” adds Arnaud Thioulouse, chief executive officer of Flying Whales Quebec.

“The signing of this contract with Honeywell, one of the world's leading aerospace engineering companies, signals great technological advances in high-power electrical systems and demonstrates the key role of Flying Whales' product to trigger innovation. Honeywell's 1-megawatt generator will be integrated within the turbogenerator of the hybrid electric propulsion system. With this collaboration, not only are we equipping the LCA60T with the best technical solution for high-power onboard requirements, we are paving the way for a revolution in air transport,” says Vincent Guibout, vice chief executive officer .

In May 2022, Honeywell announced that the 1-megawatt generator had successfully completed its first round of testing. Since then, subsequent tests have shown even more powerful results. During the latest round of testing late in 2022, the megawatt generator operated at 1.06 MVA (1MW) power levels. The test demonstration ran continuously at 1,000 kilowatts, highlighting the megawatt generator's high-power density (andtilde;8kw/kg) and efficiency (andtilde;97%), which are key enablers in hybrid-electric propulsion for both aerospace and ground applications.