Odys Aviation and Motion Applied have entered a strategic engineering partnership to advance a next-generation hybrid-electric propulsion architecture for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The collaboration focuses on integrating the AMPEX MCU-600, a proven silicon carbide (SiC) inverter platform from Motion Applied, with high-speed generator units developed by Odys Aviation. This integration is designed to create a high-performance propulsion system for the Laila and Alta aircraft. Central to the architecture is an embedded software stack that manages hybrid system coordination and aviation-level redundancy.
By linking the inverter platform directly with the Odys hybrid controller, the teams are developing a tightly coupled turbine-generator-inverter closed-loop system. This configuration is optimized for dynamic flight operations and includes features for multi-winding fault isolation and graceful degradation. These capabilities allow the propulsion system to maintain controlled operation even during single-path failures, a critical requirement for safety and certification in real-world environments.
The use of the production-proven AMPEX MCU-600 platform is intended to de-risk the development process and accelerate the timeline for a certifiable integrated motor-generator unit. Beyond electrical performance, the platform provides defined mechanical packaging and thermal interfaces. These clear cooling boundaries help to streamline aircraft-level packaging and minimize potential issues during system validation and flight testing.
“Hybrid-electric aviation will only succeed if every element of the propulsion system is developed together with absolute clarity of purpose,” said Samir Maha, CEO of Motion Applied. “Our partnership with Odys Aviation reflects that mindset. By combining our inverter platform with their advanced generator technology, we are building the foundation for flight-ready hybrid propulsion that raises the bar for performance and safety across the industry.”
As Odys Aviation moves toward its initial aircraft deliveries scheduled for this year, the company is prioritizing collaborations that align electrical, mechanical, and embedded software systems from the start of the design process.
“At Odys, we believe hybrid propulsion must be architected from the ground up as a unified system, not assembled from loosely connected components,” said James Dorris, CEO of Odys Aviation. “Motion Applied brings a proven SiC inverter platform and embedded control stack that integrates seamlessly with our hybrid controller. Together, we are accelerating the path to a certifiable, resilient propulsion system as we move toward first aircraft deliveries.“
