A groundbreaking hybrid-electric aircraft has achieved a historic milestone, completing a transatlantic journey while climbing to an altitude exceeding 30,000 feet.
The accomplishment resulted from collaboration between Transense Technologies plc, headquartered in Oxfordshire and specialising in advanced sensor systems, and Unison, a subsidiary of GE Aerospace.
This flight represented both the inaugural hybrid-electric crossing of the Atlantic Ocean and the inaugural instance of such technology operating at altitudes beyond 30,000 feet.
Ryan Maughan, managing director at Transense Technologies plc, commented that the achievement marked a significant advancement for advanced propulsion development and for torque sensing applications within future aircraft propulsion systems.
He expressed pride in witnessing the company’s foundational SAWsense technology incorporated into Unison’s commercialised solution and successfully showcased during the prominent Farnborough International Airshow.
Transense’s SAWsense torque sensing technology was combined with Unison’s aerospace engineering expertise and adapted for the high-profile airborne demonstration.
The flight demonstration occurred at the Farnborough International Airshow, recognised as one of the world’s premier aerospace exhibitions.
Josh Friedman, engineering leader at Unison, noted that the Farnborough demonstration highlighted the effectiveness of merging advanced sensing technology with aerospace application engineering, qualification procedures, and systems integration.
He emphasised the value of the enduring partnership with Transense and the significance of this joint effort in progressing next-generation propulsion technology development.
Both companies indicated that the partnership illustrates the possibilities of uniting sensing innovation with aerospace systems expertise to advance cleaner, more efficient aviation in the years ahead.