Safran Selected by Bell to Provide Electrical Power Generation for the US Army’s New Future Long Range Assault Aircraft

Twinsburg, Ohio, USA. Safran Electrical & Power, a world leader in aircraft electrical systems, announced on May 21 that, they have signed an agreement with Bell Textron Inc. to provide the starter-generation systems for the US Army’s new Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program.

Safran will supply an advanced high-voltage starter-generator system, capable of producing the power to meet the evolving electrical needs of military aircraft. This system will feature a high-speed rotor and advanced power electronics providing excellent control and reliability. The design, development and qualification will take place at the Safran Electrical & Power centers of excellence located in Twinsburg, Ohio, and Sarasota, Florida.

The FLRAA weapons system being developed by Bell will be the next generation vertical lift solution intended to replace the Army’s UH-60 Blackhawk utility helicopters. The FLRAA configuration is a tiltrotor with the hybrid capability of a helicopter for vertical take-off and landing, plus the range and speed of a twin turboprop aircraft.

“We are thrilled that Bell has selected our high voltage starter-generator as a single source to equip their innovative FLRAA platform. This new agreement is a mark of confidence and strengthens decades of relationship with Bell on both commercial and military helicopters,” said Joshua Haury, General Manager of Twinsburg plant, Safran Electrical & Power. “Such high-voltage starter-generation system will become an industry standard for future military programs,” added Bruno Bellanger, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Power division, Safran Electrical & Power.

“Bell is committed to delivering performance, reliability, and affordability for our warfighters as we work alongside the Army to modernize its fleet,” said Ryan Ehinger, Senior Vice President and Program Director for FLRAA, Bell. “We are pleased to have Safran Electrical & Power on the team to offer their innovative solution for FLRAA’s starter-generator system.”