GE Aviation will develop and test a megawatt-class hybrid-electric powerplant under a $5.1 million (£3.89m) contract from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

The research and development contract for the Applied Research Collaborative Systematic Turboshaft Electrification Project (ARC-STEP) will bolster GE's efforts to develop hybrid electric engine technologies for the future of flight.

GE Aviation has facilities in Bishops Cleeve and Gloucester. While this latest contract is based in the US, any boost to the aviation industry and GE is good news for workers in the county.

Included in this project is research, development, testing, and evaluation of a megawatt (MW) class electrified powerplant, which further develops technologies applicable to Army Future Vertical Lift (FVL).

Harry Nahatis, vice president and general manager of turboshaft engine programs at GE, said: "We're honoured to continue our close partnership with the U.S. Army through ARC-STE. GE has a record of developing innovative products that make a difference to the U.S. Army, and we believe this is another opportunity to build on that legacy."