Safran Selected by Bell to Provide Electrical Power Generation for U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft
Safran Electrical & Power, a globally recognized leader in aircraft electrical systems, has announced a pivotal agreement with Bell Textron Inc. to furnish starter-generation systems for the U.S. Army’s cutting-edge Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program.
Safran will deliver an advanced high-voltage starter-generator system engineered to meet the dynamic electrical demands of military aircraft. This system, boasting a high-speed rotor and sophisticated power electronics, ensures exceptional control and reliability. The design, development, and qualification phases will be conducted at Safran Electrical & Power’s Centers of Excellence situated in Twinsburg, Ohio, and Sarasota, Florida.
The FLRAA, developed by Bell, represents the next generation of vertical lift solutions set to replace the U.S. Army’s UH-60 Blackhawk utility helicopters. This configuration combines the versatility of a helicopter for vertical take-off and landing with the range and speed characteristics of a twin turboprop aircraft.
“We are elated that Bell has chosen our high-voltage starter-generator as the sole provider for their groundbreaking FLRAA platform. This new agreement underscores the confidence in our capabilities and fortifies the longstanding relationship with Bell across commercial and military helicopter sectors,” stated Joshua Haury, General Manager of the Twinsburg plant at Safran Electrical & Power. “Such a high-voltage starter-generation system is poised to set the standard for future military programs,” added Bruno Bellanger, Executive Vice President, and General Manager of the Power division at Safran Electrical & Power.
“Bell remains dedicated to delivering performance, reliability, and affordability for our warfighters as we collaborate with the Army to modernize its fleet,” affirmed Ryan Ehinger, Senior Vice President and Program Director for FLRAA at Bell. “We are delighted to have Safran Electrical & Power as a partner, offering their innovative solution for FLRAA’s starter-generator system.”