Capgemini and Ascendance announced the extension of their strategic partnership. Within this new phase of collaboration, Capgemini will help the start-up to pivot from technology demonstrations to industrialization, to accelerate sustainable aviation at scale, powered by hybrid electric propulsion technology.
With its dual positioning as a manufacturer of both aircraft and hybrid electric propulsion solutions, Ascendance has focused on pioneering solutions on the road to net-zero aviation, since it was founded in 2018. Ascendance has chosen hybrid electric propulsion as a realistic approach to sustainable aviation, as it is applicable to multiple regional uses (including passenger transport, medical, logistics and surveillance applications) from now on.
Since 2021, Capgemini’s engineering experts have been accompanying Ascendance in its innovative product development roadmap towards certification, across a range of disciplines such as system engineering, flight physics and control, and power systems and battery development.
William Rozé, CEO of Capgemini Engineering and group executive board member commented: "We are extremely pleased to expand our relationship with Ascendance. After a successful first phase to support their innovative product development roadmap, we are now pivoting from technology demonstrations to industrialization. Together, with Ascendance’s hybrid modular propulsion system and Capgemini’s end-to-end capabilities in critical engineering disciplines, digital and business transformation, we are ready to accelerate and soon deploy decarbonized solutions at scale for the aviation industry.”
Jean-Christophe Lambert, CEO & Cofounder of Ascendance stated: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Capgemini, together we have forged a strong relationship in recent years with many milestones achieved. Their expertise in engineering, data, and industrialization is crucial to accelerating the commercialization of our hybrid propulsion solution STERNA, and industrialization of our aircraft ATEA. Together, we will contribute to making sustainable aviation more accessible, leveraging innovations that will reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation sector while offering new possibilities for the mobility of tomorrow.”
First flight set for 2025
Ascendance has developed two innovative solutions for the aviation industry’s energy transition: STERNA, a patented modular hybrid propulsion system that allows multiple energy sources to be used at the same time; ATEA, a next-generation VTOL aircraft powered by Sterna, a quiet and low-carbon alternative to helicopters. Ascendance aims to perform its ATEA prototype first flight this year.
To accelerate the scale-up and industrialization phase of both STERNA and ATEA, the extended partnership will see Capgemini bring its end-to-end capabilities in engineering, technology, data and business transformation in the fields of electric battery, industrial ramp-up, connected services, and digital continuity. This partnership emphasizes Capgemini’s commitment to support the scale-up of high-potential start-ups and is fully aligned with the Group’s ambition in sustainability.
Turkish Airlines has taken another major step in its fleet expansion strategy with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with CFM International for more than 300 LEAP-1B engines and a long-term...
Archer Aviation all-electric Midnight air taxi successfully completed several days of piloted flights across the San Francisco Bay Area as part of the company’s “No Roads” flight tou...
AMAC Aerospace Group continues to experience strong business momentum, marked by new certifications, contract wins and rising demand across its maintenance, completion and aircraft modification activi...
Gogo has unveiled its long-term vision for the Galileo connectivity platform at NBAA-BACE 2026, outlining a roadmap designed to enhance and protect customer investments well into the mid-2030s and bey...
