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Airship maker opts for PT6C-based generators
Thursday, 8 September 2022
In order to provide the 4 MW of electrical power required for operations, the airship will incorporate a total of four 1 MW turbogenerators in the nacelles located in the side fins of the aircraft.

Flying Whales Quebec and Pratt and Whitney Canada are collaborating to design a new electrically powered aircraft, including the development of a 1 MW turbogenerator to equip FWQ's LCA60T electric propulsion airship.

This turbogenerator will be based on the family of PT6C turboshaft engines, which have proven themselves in terms of performance, durability and reliability. In order to provide the 4 MW of electrical power required for operations, the airship will incorporate a total of four 1 MW turbogenerators in the nacelles located in the side fins of the aircraft.

As part of the aerospace program, the electrical power generation system will be tested on a P&WC turbine test bed specifically adapted to the system. These innovative technologies can then be integrated into other platforms.

This collaboration is one of the five projects selected for the second phase of the mobilizing project "Collaborative projects for tomorrow's aircraft", supported in part by the Government of Quebec as part of the Quebec Aerospace Strategy - Horizon 2026.

The LCA60T is a new generation aircraft for the point-to-point transport of heavy or bulky loads in remote or isolated areas and that it will be particularly useful for the forestry, mining, electricity, renewable energy industries as well as for the opening up of the territories of the Far North. In order to assemble and operate the LCA60T airships in America, an assembly plant will be built in Quebec by Flying Whales Quebec to produce up to twelve LCA60Ts per year.

"Pratt and Whitney Canada is proud to play an important role in the development of Flying Whales Quebec's LCA60T aircraft," says Scott McElvaine, vp, business development and commercial services, Pratt and Whitney Canada. "As one of Canada's largest investors in research and development, through our unparalleled commitment to sustainability and our investments of C$500 million year after year, we play a key role in advancing innovation and industry expertise and in developing sustainable propulsion solutions. For nearly 100 years, we've been at the forefront of aero engine innovation, and we're in a unique position to demonstrate that potential."

Arnaud Thioulouse, general manager, FWQ adds: "We are delighted to have Pratt and Whitney Canada in our aeronautical consortium to launch our electric-powered aircraft and bring our ambition to revolutionize air cargo to life. The excellence and expertise developed by PWandC will be crucial in the development of electric propulsion solutions that the aircraft in general needs. The support of the Government of Quebec through the mobilizing project of the aircraft of tomorrow demonstrates the importance of this partnership and contributes to maintaining the Quebec industry at the highest level of innovation."

Contact details from our directory:
Flying Whales Airframer
Pratt & Whitney Canada Auxiliary Power Units, Compressors, Electric Motors, Engine Parts, Piston Engines, Turbofan Engines, Turboprop Engines, Turboshaft Engines
Related aircraft programs:
Flying Whale LCA60T
Related directory sectors:
Engines