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Hybrid Electric Propulsion Architecture for Regional Commercial Aviation
Safran Helicopter Engines and Aura Aero have signed an agreement covering the development and integration of turbogenerator units for the Electric Regional Aircraft prototype.
www.safran-group.com
Safran Helicopter Engines and Aura Aero have executed a technical development and integration agreement for the hybrid electric propulsion architecture of the Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA), a 19-seater commercial regional aircraft. This agreement establishes the engineering roadmap for prototype assembly, flight testing, and subsequent series production of the propulsion system.
Engineering Roles and Operational Challenges
The collaboration addresses the challenge of decarbonizing regional commercial air transport while maintaining payload, range, and operational dispatch reliability. Aura Aero leads the overall aircraft design and system integration, while Safran provides specialized propulsion components. The partnership combines Safran’s thermal-engine and electrical generation expertise with Aura Aero’s airframe design to meet commercial airworthiness and manufacturing scale requirements.
Technical Architecture and Subsystem Integration
The propulsion architecture features eight wing-mounted electric propulsion units (EPUs) powered by two Safran TG600 turbogenerators. Each TG600 unit delivers up to 600 kW of electrical power to the aircraft power bus.
The primary components of the hybrid system include:
- Thermal Core: The TG600 utilizes a core derived from the Safran Arrano turboshaft engine series.
- Electrical Generation: Each TG600 drives two Safran Electrical & Power GENeUS high-power generators.
- Thrust Generation: Electrical energy powers eight wing-mounted Safran ENGINeUS electric motors driving individual propfans.
This distributed electric propulsion arrangement optimizes aerodynamic efficiency and reduces fuel burn compared to standard regional turboprops.
Prototype Integration and Testing Phases
The current engineering phase focuses on hardware-in-the-loop integration and ground testing of the TG600 turbogenerators within the ERA airframe structure. Safran Electrical & Power is simultaneously validating ENGINeUS motors on Aura Aero’s INTEGRAL E single-engine trainer aircraft to evaluate real-world thermal management, power distribution, and motor control software under flight conditions.
Target Industry and Performance Metrics
The ERA system targets short-haul regional air routes. Distributed hybrid propulsion offers a operational framework to reduce direct operating costs and lower local carbon and acoustic emissions, facilitating compliance with strict airport noise regulations and environmental standards.
Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.
www.safran-group.com
Prototype Integration and Testing Phases
The current engineering phase focuses on hardware-in-the-loop integration and ground testing of the TG600 turbogenerators within the ERA airframe structure. Safran Electrical & Power is simultaneously validating ENGINeUS motors on Aura Aero’s INTEGRAL E single-engine trainer aircraft to evaluate real-world thermal management, power distribution, and motor control software under flight conditions.
Target Industry and Performance Metrics
The ERA system targets short-haul regional air routes. Distributed hybrid propulsion offers a operational framework to reduce direct operating costs and lower local carbon and acoustic emissions, facilitating compliance with strict airport noise regulations and environmental standards.
Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.
www.safran-group.com
