Collins Aerospace, an RTX unit, has opened a new engineering center of excellence in the United Kingdom and a new production line in France for its electric thrust reverser actuation systems, or elecTRAS. The initiatives are designed to enable the lighter design of aircraft nacelle systems that are easier to maintain, while improving fuel efficiency, Collins said.
The U.K. engineering center, located in Wolverhampton, will focus on the design and development of advanced elecTRAS for commercial aircraft. For production efficiency and expanded capacity, the systems’ final assembly will be done in Collins’ new French production line in Colomiers.
Efficient Fuel and Operation
According to Collins, using elecTRAS instead of traditional hydraulic-powered thrust reverser actuation systems can reduce nacelle systems’ aircraft weight by 15 to 20 percent, improving fuel efficiency and flight operations. The company noted that the systems’ final assembly in Colomiers will boost its nacelle integration capacity and aircraft electrification capabilities for global customer support.
Ajay Mahajan, president of advanced structures at Collins Aerospace, said the new elecTRAS center of excellence and production line will combine company-wide expertise to provide innovative systems to customers and future aircraft platforms.
“Building on in-service learning and experience, our dedicated investment to enable aircraft electrification technologies for the next-generation nacelle and elecTRAS will make future aircraft easier to maintain and operationally efficient,” he said.