GE Aerospace and BETA Technologies invest $300 million in hybrid-electric propulsion to transform civil and military aviation.
GE Aerospace and BETA Technologies announce a major alliance with an investment of $300 million (≈ €276 million) to develop a hybrid-electric turboprop engine for the aviation of tomorrow. The goal is to combine GE’s expertise in CT7 and T700 turboshaft engines, proven by millions of flight hours, with BETA’s electrical know-how. The end result: aircraft capable of longer flights with greater payload, while reducing fuel dependence.
This system is intended to equip both long-range VTOL aircraft and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) platforms. Applications range from civil transport to military logistics in contested environments, with the ability to support dispersed operations in degraded areas. The ALIA platform, already tested in the United States and Europe, will be one of the preferred vehicles for this integration.
This project combines industrial, operational, and technological objectives: faster maturity of hybrid propulsion, smoother certification thanks to accumulated experience, and the opening of a growing market estimated to be worth tens of billions of euros by 2035.
A $300 million investment to accelerate hybrid aviation
The September 2025 announcement marks a decisive industrial milestone. GE Aerospace is providing $300 million (≈ €276 million) in financing, along with a seat on the board of directors of BETA Technologies. This commitment is not simply a capital injection, but a desire to establish long-term cooperation.
The market for hybrid-electric propulsion is growing rapidly. According to forecasts by IATA and specialist firms, cumulative investment in AAM solutions is expected to exceed €50 billion by 2035. Hybrid propulsion, which combines a combustion engine and an electric generator, is considered an essential step towards reducing emissions in regional aviation.
By partnering with BETA, GE is focusing on vertical integration: control of the combustion turbine, generator, and energy management. Economic balance depends on the ability to produce a certifiable system that is robust and suitable for different segments (civil and military). The logic is clear: share development costs, accelerate time to market, and secure a dominant position in a sector where Rolls-Royce, Safran, and Pratt & Whitney are also multiplying their hybrid programs.
A hybrid system for VTOL and AAM
The innovation is based on the hybrid turbogenerator, integrating GE’s CT7/T700 engines and electrical technology developed by BETA. These engines have accumulated more than 100 million flight hours in civil and military contexts, making them a reliable basis for certification.
The system aims to meet three operational objectives:
- Extend the range of VTOL and AAM aircraft, which is currently limited by the energy density of batteries.
- Increase payload to open up the market to heavier logistics and transport missions.
- Maintain aviation safety performance comparable to commercial aviation standards.
This hybrid model corrects a current technical limitation: lithium-ion batteries achieve around 250 Wh/kg, while kerosene remains above 12,000 Wh/kg. The thermal generator therefore ensures continuous electricity production, while enabling energy optimization and a relative reduction in emissions.
Civilian applications include urban passenger transport, express logistics, and medical evacuation. Military applications include support in contested areas, where dependence on conventional fuel convoys exposes forces to asymmetric threats.
The ALIA platform as an operational test bed
The ALIA platform, developed by BETA, will be one of the main test beds. Designed to withstand high operational rates, it has already completed test flights in the United States and Europe, with validations in real-world conditions and varied weather.
The ALIA MV250 version is optimized for military missions. It offers autonomy suited to dispersed logistics, the ability to operate from rudimentary terrain, and a payload capacity that allows for the transport of tactical equipment. Its purpose is clear: to fill the gap between helicopters and ground vehicles in terms of mobility and speed.
There are many advantages:
- Reduced noise footprint (< 60 dB measured nearby).
- All-weather operations, with redundant systems.
- Integration of proprietary electric propulsion allowing frequent flight cycles with little maintenance.
For the civilian market, ALIA is positioning itself in regional transport and emergency services. For the military market, it responds to the US doctrine of distributed operations, i.e., the dispersion of resources to reduce vulnerability.
Converging civil and military applications
GE and BETA are targeting a dual customer base. On the civil side, hybrid propulsion is of interest to regional airlines, which are facing increasingly stringent environmental constraints. The European Union is imposing a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030, prompting operators to test alternative solutions. The regional aircraft segment (less than 50 passengers) is considered the most favorable for rapid adoption.
On the military side, the needs are just as pressing. Recent conflicts have highlighted the vulnerability of fuel supply lines. Reducing this dependence means fewer convoys and therefore fewer exposed targets. Hybrid turbogenerators are becoming a solution in denied environment warfare, where energy autonomy determines survivability.
The potential market is considerable. According to an estimate by Markets and Markets, the global market for hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion could reach €30 billion in 2035, with an annual growth rate of over 10%. The first contracts are expected to involve the US armed forces and European regional operators, which are already engaged in pilot programs.
Industrial and strategic challenges
For GE Aerospace, this partnership is part of a trajectory already marked by important milestones. In 2016, the manufacturer validated its first electric motor driving a propeller. In 2022, it conducted a 1 MW hybrid test under simulated high-altitude flight conditions. These steps demonstrate a gradual ramp-up.
For BETA Technologies, the added value lies in GE’s industrialization capabilities and certification. Aeronautical start-ups face a critical barrier: moving from functional prototypes to aircraft certified by the FAA or EASA. GE’s accumulated experience in this field reduces the risk of delays.
Strategically, this cooperation illustrates a broader trend: the merger between historic giants and new entrants in the AAM. The balance is delicate: GE secures an emerging technology without investing in an internal subsidiary, while BETA benefits from accelerated access to military and civil markets.
Medium-term consequences for the aerospace sector
Over the next 5 to 10 years, this initiative could disrupt the market structure. Three main consequences can be identified:
- Accelerated certification: the project aims to present a hybrid system validated by the authorities by 2028-2030, well ahead of many competitors’ initial forecasts.
- Redistribution of industrial roles: engine manufacturers are also becoming suppliers of complete electrical systems, reducing the role of independent equipment manufacturers.
- Ripple effect on public policy: national and European programs could direct more funding toward hybrid technology, to the detriment of all-electric technology, which is considered too limited in terms of range.
However, there is a risk that development costs could exceed forecasts, particularly if battery maturity does not evolve at the expected rate. But hybrid integration limits this risk by offering a realistic transitional solution.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.