GE Aerospace and BETA Technologies have launched a strategic partnership and equity agreement aimed at accelerating development in hybrid-electric aviation. As part of the deal, GE plans to invest $300 million (pending regulatory approval) in BETA, while both companies will jointly work on a hybrid electric turbogenerator designed for civil and defense applications.

The collaboration combines BETA’s expertise in high-performance permanent-magnet electric generators with GE’s strengths in turbine systems, certification, and large-scale manufacturing. Their goal is to leverage existing engine architectures—such as GE’s CT7 and T700—as foundations for hybrid electric integration, enabling improvements in range, payload, speed, and operating costs.

Under the agreement, GE will also secure the right to designate a director to BETA’s Board. GE’s CEO, H. Lawrence Culp Jr., stated that this alliance will accelerate hybrid technology development in response to customer demands for greater performance. BETA CEO Kyle Clark emphasized that the partnership reflects confidence in BETA’s team, innovation approach, and technical foundation.

This move reinforces GE’s commitment to future propulsion technologies, building upon past innovations including a 2022 test of a megawatt-class hybrid electric propulsion system at simulated high-altitude conditions. BETA brings to the table its real-world electric flight data and infrastructure, including over 50 charging sites across North America and its ALIA aircraft platform (offering both CTOL and VTOL variants).

For further information, visit BETA Technologies’ website: https://beta.team

Source: GE Aerospace & BETA Technologies via Beta Team