Planemaker Confirms ‘Take Off 2027’ Plan to Deploy Hybrid-Electric TBM

Daher, a major French manufacturer known for its TBM and Kodiak aircraft, has confirmed its plans to roll out a hybrid-electric aircraft by 2027. The company expects to complete the modified TBM 900’s technical design by 2025.

The new aircraft will take inspiration from EcoPulse, a TBM 940-based demonstrator aircraft developed under a partnership between Daher, Safran, and Airbus. EcoPulse successfully ran a 100-hour test campaign from November 2023 to July 2024. It flew on Safran’s hybrid-electric propulsion system and Airbus’s 800-volt battery, delivering 350 kilowatts to the six wing-mounted e-propellers.

“EcoPulse has enabled Daher to take a crucial step forward in developing a low-carbon aircraft. This project not only helped us design an operational system for a demonstration prototype but also tackle critical technological hurdles,” stated Pascal Laguerre, Daher’s Chief Technology Officer. “Thanks to this rich and unprecedented collaboration, we have made significant progress toward hybridization.”

Daher has already begun the conceptual design phase for the new low-carbon aircraft in hopes of staying on-schedule with the confirmed 2027 entry-to-service. The aircraft is expected to integrate as much electric power as possible, though final propulsion details remain off the record.

“It’s not an easy certification path,” noted Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of Daher's Aircraft Division. “At Daher, we have the advantage of knowing how to certify products. But, for example, high-voltage electrical system certification is still an unknown path. Despite that, we’ll start outlining aircraft specifications later this year.”

Daher’s next hybrid-electric aircraft is just one part of its push for sustainability. The planemaker is also focusing on designing lighter, recyclable aerostructures and securing a stable supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuels under its broader ‘Take Off 2027’ strategy. The company has already seen strong growth, delivering 82 aircraft in 2024 and increasing revenue by 9% to $1.8 billion.

FMI: www.daher.com