Capgemini and Ascendance have extended their partnership to accelerate the industrialisation of hybrid electric propulsion technologies. This collaboration aims to advance sustainable aviation solutions, focusing on scaling production and reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry.
Since its inception in 2018, Ascendance has been at the forefront of developing hybrid electric propulsion systems, which offer a practical path to achieving net-zero aviation. The technology supports multiple applications, including passenger transport, medical services, logistics, and surveillance.
Capgemini has contributed to Ascendance’s development roadmap since 2021, providing expertise in systems engineering, flight physics, and battery technologies to help meet certification requirements.
Ascendance’s innovations include STERNA, a patented modular hybrid propulsion system that integrates multiple energy sources, and ATEA, a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft powered by STERNA. Designed as a quiet and low-carbon alternative to helicopters, the ATEA prototype is set to take its first flight this year.
The partnership will focus on scaling up these technologies, with Capgemini providing expertise in areas such as electric battery development, industrial ramp-up, and connected services. These efforts aim to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint and make sustainable aviation more widely accessible.
“We are delighted to deepen our collaboration with Ascendance. Following a successful initial phase that supported their innovative product development, we are now shifting our focus from demonstrating technology to full-scale industrialisation. By combining Ascendance’s hybrid modular propulsion system with Capgemini’s expertise in engineering, digital solutions, and business transformation, we are well-positioned to accelerate the rollout of decarbonised solutions for the aviation industry,” said William Rozé, CEO of Capgemini Engineering and Member of the Group Executive Board.
“We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Capgemini, building on a strong relationship and significant milestones achieved over recent years. Their knowledge in engineering, data, and industrialisation is invaluable in advancing the commercialisation of our hybrid propulsion system, STERNA, and the industrialisation of our ATEA aircraft,” said Jean-Christophe Lambert, CEO and Co-founder of Ascendance.
