Strix Announcement | Fifth wave of INSAT projects
Strix reaches a $100 M contribution milestone supporting more than $350M in total project value under the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT) through a fifth wave of Canadian aerospace projects.
London, United Kingdom – July 20, 2026 – Strix, the organization managing the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT), is thrilled to announce its latest innovative research projects that are helping decarbonize the aerospace industry and the aviation sector through new technologies.
This new wave of projects, led by industrial and academic partners, represents contributions of $16.5M for projects with a total project value of $53.6M, bringing the program’s total contributions to more than $100M and the total value of all projects announced to date to over $350M.
Streamlined Access to Funding
For Strix, and the Government of Canada, the efficient distribution of public funds for aerospace innovation represents a key priority in ensuring a competitive sector and a strong industrial base. Through our established private-public framework, we aim to simplify access to funding, enabling aerospace and defence innovators to obtain the support they need to develop technologies that contribute to a more secure, sustainable, and prosperous Canada.
“Today marks an exciting milestone for the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology as it continues to drive innovation and advances in sustainable aviation. Its work to support the development and commercialization of sustainable, cutting-edge and often dual-use technologies is a source of pride for Canada. This latest wave of projects will further help reinforce Canada’s position in global aerospace markets, strengthen our sovereign industrial capabilities and defence industrial base, and support the creation of high-value jobs for Canadians,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
“Achieving a milestone of this magnitude in just three years of operations is a tremendous source of pride for our entire team. More than ever, it demonstrates the exceptional effectiveness of Strix as a program deployment tool for the government. We are proud of the new projects we support and the new relationships being developed to create a more connected, resilient industry that delivers real economic impact for Canada,” declared Michel Dion, CEO of Strix.
Innovative Research Projects
Below, we present the projects supported in this fifth announcement.
RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator – Verification Phase
Collaborators: Pratt & Whitney (Quebec), Exonetik (Quebec), H55 Canada (Quebec), Innovative Vehicle Institute (Quebec)
$7.2M INSAT contribution on a $26.5M project
The INSAT project will focus on Pratt & Whitney Canada’s verification phase of the RTX Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrator program, advancing the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from 4 to 5. This phase will evaluate and validate the final, flight-standard hybrid-electric propulsion system, including its integrated battery system, in preparation for subsequent flight demonstrations. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX business.
The project activities will include ground-based testing of the fully integrated propulsion architecture, assessing efficiency, power output, thermal management, reliability, durability and safety protections under operational conditions. H55 Canada will provide the integrated battery energy storage system and lead validation of its battery management software to ensure the safety and efficiency of the battery system. The Innovative Vehicle Institute (IVI) will develop a battery pack enclosure using a lightweight, fire-resistant composite material in collaboration with the Composites Development Center of Quebec (CDCQ) and the Aerospace Technology Center (CTA). Exonetik will advance combustion technologies to further enhance the efficiency of thermal engines supporting hybrid-electric propulsion.
Findings from this project will advance Canada’s leadership in hybrid-electric aviation, accelerating the development of fuel-efficient, low-emission propulsion solutions for future regional aircraft and other platforms.
Mixed Alcohols to Jet Fuel
Collaborators: Greenfield Global (Ontario), Canadian BioJet Fuel Laboratories (Ontario)
$4.5M INSAT contribution on a $14M project
This project is designed to advance Greenfield Global’s patented “mixed alcohols to jet” or “MATJ” technology to produce a fully drop in (100% blend, no need to mix with fossil molecules) sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The production of SAF is part of INSAT’s 4th pillar that will allow Canada’s aviation industry to transition to alternative lower carbon intensity fuels without changing existing aircraft or infrastructure. This three-year project will enable Greenfield to advance its MATJ technology from its past TRL 4 by 2028 and will ensure the technology has passed the Tier 1 (Specification Properties) and Tier 2 (Fit-for-Purpose Properties) Jet A-1 Fuel ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) approvals process.
Toward Net-Zero Aviation: Sustainable Manufacturing of Low-Emission Thermal Modules and Platforms for Additive Manufacturing and Digitization
Collaborators: Groupe Meloche (Quebec), Vac Aero (Ontario & Quebec)
$4.7M INSAT contribution on a $13M project
Since 2010, Groupe Meloche has played a strategic role in the development of low-emission, energy-efficient aerospace thermal module technology, which has reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. The transition toward operational deployment now directs efforts toward optimizing manufacturing processes to improve sustainability, reduce environmental footprint, and support industrial-scale production. Meloche is taking a proactive approach by developing a sustainable infrastructure for the manufacturing and maintenance of the thermal module, with the goal of supporting eco-efficient, viable mass production aligned with the aviation sector’s energy transition. This approach is generating significant environmental benefits, including a 30% improvement in module efficiency and a reduction of more than 900 tonnes of CO₂ per year through local, carbon-neutral processes that integrate sustainable design and a local MRO system.In addition to the thermal module, the project will establish a manufacturing infrastructure dedicated to the additive manufacturing of a critical auxiliary component, aimed at improving performance and reducing weight. At the same time, a digital infrastructure will be developed to support digital twin development, enabling optimization of design, manufacturing parameters, and performance under operating conditions.
Vac Aero International has partnered with Groupe Meloche for more than 12 years in a joint effort to ensure the thermal spray coatings and finishing on critical auxiliary components are operationally and environmentally optimized. The resultant partnership will enable on-going environmental footprint reduction of gas and electricity consumption in conjunction with reduced consumption of critical mineral based thermal spray powders while ensuring optimal component performance.
About Strix
Strix is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting innovation and collaborative research in the Canadian aerospace industry and related sectors. We aim to position Canada as the global leader in aerospace and defence innovation by fostering multi-sectoral collaboration and access to resources — driving sustainable development and integration of technologies and platforms of the future.
About INSAT
The Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT) is a national program dedicated to promoting innovation and sustainability in the aerospace sector. By bringing together experts from various fields, INSAT works to develop advanced technological solutions for a greener and more responsible aviation future.