Safran, Aura Aero expand partnership to develop turbogenerators
The ERA’s (Electric Regional Aircraft) propulsion architecture will consist of eight electric propulsion units powered by two TG600 turbogenerators, each capable of supplying 600 kW of electricity.
French companies Safran Helicopter Engines and Aura Aero have signed an agreement covering the development and integration of Safran turbogenerators for the Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA) prototype, paving the way for the series production of its propulsion system, Safran said in a press release.
The ERA’s propulsion architecture will consist of eight electric propulsion units powered by two TG600 turbogenerators, each capable of supplying 600 kW of electricity. These turbogenerators are based on Safran Helicopter Engines’ latest-generation Arrano engine and two GENeUS electric generators supplied by Safran Electrical & Power, which will also supply the ENGINeUS motors for the electric propulsion units.
This architecture has been designed to combine reliability, operational performance and low consumption, whilst meeting the requirements of commercial operation and series production.
“We are particularly pleased to reach this important milestone in our partnership with Aura Aero and thereby contribute to advancing the decarbonisation of aviation alongside this growing new French aircraft manufacturer,” said Cédric Goubet, CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines. “Our TG600 turbogenerator will be a key component of the ERA regional aircraft’s hybrid propulsion system. Our teams will now be working alongside those at Aura Aero towards the first flight of a prototype.”
“By leveraging Safran's expertise in turbogenerators and next-generation electric motors, we are laying the foundations for a reliable, high-performance hybrid-electric propulsion system tailored to the needs of tomorrow’s regional air transport,” said Jérémy Caussade, CEO and co-founder of Aura Aero.
