High Voltage for the Aviation of Tomorrow EU research project HECATE develops electric high-voltage architecture for hybrid regional aircraft

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Airbus Defence and Space GmbH

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Diehl Aerospace GmbH

GGB Heilbronn GmbH

Electrification of aviation is a key pillar of the European climate strategy. With HECATE, a scalable high-voltage architecture for hybrid regional aircraft is taking shape. An international consortium is developing new power distribution technologies, digital twins, and EMC concepts.

The electrification of air transport is widely regarded as a central challenge on the path to a climate-neutral Europe. Especially in regional aviation, hybrid propulsion systems offer a realistic opportunity to significantly reduce emissions. With the European research project HECATE, an international consortium aims to fundamentally rethink electric power distribution in aircraft and establish the technological foundations for hybrid regional aircraft.

HECATE stands for Hybrid ElectriC regional Aircraft distribution TEchnologies. The project is part of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, a European Union funding initiative under Horizon Europe. It was launched in January 2023 and is scheduled to run for three years. The total project budget is approximately €45.16 million, with around €34.21 million provided through EU funds. Additional financial support is coming from the United Kingdom via its Research & Innovation funding programs.

At the heart of the project is the development of a high-voltage electric power distribution architecture designed for outputs exceeding 500 kilowatts and extending into the megawatt range. The objective is to create a scalable, efficient, and certifiable system architecture suitable for next-generation hybrid regional aircraft. The consortium is pursuing a holistic system design approach that includes both primary and secondary distribution systems, power electronics, cable and connector solutions, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) management, digital twins, and thermal management.

By the end of 2025, the project aims to demonstrate a complete ground-based system at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5. This means that the developed architecture will be tested and validated under realistic operational conditions. The demonstration is planned to take place in an integrated test environment known as the “Copper Bird,” which enables the evaluation of electrical systems in an aircraft-representative setting.

One of the core challenges addressed by the project is the integration of high-voltage systems into the aircraft environment. This includes considerations related to electrical safety, weight management, EMC performance, and cooling of high-power components. Special emphasis is placed on modularity and system integration to ensure adaptability to a range of aircraft concepts. Advanced modeling techniques—including digital twins—are being used to support design, simulation, and system optimization.

Regulatory and certification-related issues are also a central concern. Close collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and with standardization bodies such as EUROCAE is intended to ensure that the developed systems meet future airworthiness certification requirements. In parallel, lifecycle assessments and sustainability evaluations are being conducted to quantify and optimize the environmental and climate impact of the new system architecture.

The HECATE consortium brings together 37 partners from ten countries, including major industry players such as Collins Aerospace (project coordinator), Safran, Airbus Defence & Space, Leonardo, Thales, and Diehl Aerospace. It also includes specialized SMEs, universities, and research institutions such as Aalborg University, the University of Bayreuth, UNISA, and the Fraunhofer Institute. This interdisciplinary setup is intended to accelerate the transfer of research findings into market-ready technologies.

By the summer of 2024, key milestones had already been reached. The so-called Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the core components of the system architecture was successfully completed. This included elements such as power converters, control systems, and parts of the primary and secondary distribution networks. The consortium is now preparing for the Critical Design Review (CDR), a prerequisite for building the planned ground demonstrator.

HECATE is a strategically significant project: It lays the foundation for the electrification of regional aviation in Europe and supports the EU’s climate goals in the aviation sector. At the same time, it strengthens the technological competitiveness of European aerospace companies in what is expected to become a highly contested market segment. The technologies developed under HECATE could be integrated into future demonstrator programs under Clean Aviation Phase II and, over the longer term, enter service in next-generation regional aircraft.

Whether and when a fully electric regional aircraft will take to the skies remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that without initiatives like HECATE, there will be no sound technological basis for making that leap.