Safran Bets on Aura Aero’s Electric Airplane

At the forefront of low-carbon footprint aircraft, Aura Aero can now count on the support of Safran.

The young Toulouse-based company has just signed an agreement with Safran Electrical & Power. This provides new means to continue the development of its aircraft with electric propulsion.

An electric commercial aircraft by 2027

Safran and Aura Aero plan to jointly develop the ERA, a regional 19-seat commercial aircraft with electric propulsion. The studies will focus on both the aircraft’s propulsive architecture and the so-called non-propulsive architecture. The former provides power for the electric motors, while the latter supplies power to other aircraft systems.

The ERA will be able to fly approximately 400 km in fully electric mode. An internal combustion engine will extend the range to 1850 km.

This promising aircraft is scheduled to perform its first flight in 2024, with entry into service three years later. Aura Aero declares it has already received “letters of intent for the order of several hundred units”.

An electric acrobatic aircraft also on the agenda

This collaboration will also focus on the development of the Integral E, a two-seat acrobatic aircraft. Safran will supply the electric motor for the flight demonstrator, which will develop around 100 kW. The inaugural flight of the Integral E is scheduled for 2022. The first deliveries are planned for 2023. Aura Aero already has about sixty expression of interest in orders.

“This collaboration between aircraft manufacturer and aerospace electrical systems expert is an important and necessary step to develop electric aircraft,” said Wilfried Dufaud, Co-Founder & Program Director of Aura Aero.

“Becoming a partner of Aura Aero on these two ambitious aircraft programs is a great pride for Safran Electrical & Power, affirms Hervé Blanc, CEO of the Power division at Safran Electrical & Power. These projects align perfectly with our strategic directions: they combine disruptive technologies, more electric and with a low carbon footprint.”

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