Safran Helicopter Engines is to cover the development and integration of its turbogenerators for Aura Aero’s prototype ERA (Electric Regional Aircraft) 19-seat regional aircraft, paving the way for the series production of its propulsion system. This agreement follows on from a memorandum of understanding in 2023 and represents a key milestone towards the aircraft's maiden flight, certification and future entry into service.

The ERA’s propulsion architecture will consist of eight electric propulsion units powered by two TG600 turbogenerators, each capable of supplying 600kW 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, while 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. 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,” says Cedric Goubet, CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines.

“We are delighted with this partnership with Safran, which embodies our shared commitment to decarbonised and sovereign aviation. 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. Together, we are driving forward the sector’s energy transition with concrete technologies on an industrial scale,” adds Jeremy Caussade, CEO and co-founder of Aura Aero.

The aim of the ERA programme was to contribute to the decarbonisation of air transport, meeting the growing demand for air travel and replacing older aircraft currently in service on regional routes. The market response has been extremely encouraging, with 700 units already pre-ordered.

At the same time, Safran Electrical & Power has strengthened its partnership with Aura Aero in order to accelerate the development, certification and industrialisation of all-electric propulsion technologies. This includes, in particular, the integration of ENGINeUS engines into Aura Aero’s Integral E single-engine training aircraft, and paves the way for future innovative propulsion solutions.