Collins Aerospace Expands Aircraft Electrification Capabilities in Europe

Collins Aerospace has enhanced its aircraft electrification capabilities by establishing a new engineering centre of excellence in Wolverhampton, UK, and launching a new production line for electric thrust reverser actuation systems (elecTRAS™) in Colomiers, France. The Wolverhampton centre is dedicated to the development of next-generation electric thrust reverser actuation systems for commercial aircraft, equipped with cutting-edge design and testing capabilities. Meanwhile, the Colomiers facility will manage the final assembly of these advanced electric systems, thereby improving production efficiency and capacity.

By transitioning from conventional hydraulic-powered thrust reverser actuation systems to elecTRAS, Collins Aerospace can engineer nacelle systems that offer enhanced ease of installation and maintenance for customers, while simultaneously decreasing aircraft system weight by 15-20%. This transition leads to improved fuel efficiency and operational performance. Collins currently provides the elecTRAS for the Airbus A350 family. Thrust reversers, as components of an aircraft's nacelle system, redirect engine thrust to assist in deceleration during landing.

The final assembly of the system in Colomiers will expand Collins' nacelle integration capacity and improve customer proximity. Together, these initiatives will bolster Collins' aircraft electrification capabilities to better serve its global customer base.

"With decades of experience in nacelles, thrust reversers, and aircraft electrification, Collins' elecTRAS centre of excellence and production line will bring together expertise from across the company to deliver new, innovative solutions for our customers and future platforms," said Ajay Mahajan, president of Aerostructures at Collins Aerospace. "Building on in-service learning and experience, our dedicated investment to enable aircraft electrification technologies for the next-generation nacelle and elecTRAS will make future aircraft easier to maintain and operationally efficient."

The newly established Wolverhampton site will function as the engineering design centre for elecTRAS, working in close collaboration with Collins' Aerostructures headquarters in Chula Vista, California, as well as other global engineering centres. Additionally, it will coordinate with Collins' centre of excellence for electronic controls and motor systems located in Solihull, UK.

By the end of 2024, over 600 A350XWB aircraft will be in service, with production continuing into the following decade. Collins' latest generation elecTRAS has accumulated approximately 11 million flight hours and 1.8 million flight cycles of operational experience in service.