RTX's Collins Aerospace expands aircraft electrification capabilities in Europe

Rhea-AI Summary

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has expanded its aircraft electrification capabilities with two new facilities in Europe. The company opened an engineering center of excellence in Wolverhampton, UK, focused on developing next-generation electric thrust reverser actuation systems (elecTRAS™), and a production line in Colomiers, France, for final assembly. The elecTRAS technology offers 15-20% weight reduction compared to traditional hydraulic systems, improving fuel efficiency and maintenance. Currently used on the Airbus A350 family, the system has accumulated 11 million flight hours and 1.8 million flight cycles, with over 600 A350XWB aircraft in service by end of 2024. The Wolverhampton facility will collaborate with Collins' facilities in Chula Vista, California, and Solihull, UK, strengthening the company's global aircraft electrification capabilities.

Positive

• New facilities enhance global production capacity and customer proximity
• ElecTRAS technology reduces aircraft system weight by 15-20%, improving fuel efficiency
• Proven technology with 11 million flight hours and 1.8 million flight cycles in service
• Simplified installation and maintenance compared to traditional hydraulic systems

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aerospace Manufacturing Specialist

RTX's Collins expands European aircraft electrification capacity, enhancing production of fuel-efficient thrust reverser systems with proven A350 track record.

Collins Aerospace's dual-location expansion in Europe represents a strategic reinforcement of its aircraft electrification capabilities, particularly in its electric thrust reverser actuation systems (elecTRAS™) technology. The new Wolverhampton engineering center of excellence will drive next-generation design innovation, while the Colomiers production line enhances final assembly capacity closer to European aerospace customers.

The technical advantages of Collins' elecTRAS technology are substantial. By replacing traditional hydraulic systems, these electric thrust reversers deliver a 15-20% weight reduction, which translates directly to improved fuel efficiency and operational performance. Weight reduction of this magnitude represents significant value in commercial aviation where fuel consumption is a critical cost factor.

With the technology already proven on the Airbus A350 family, Collins is leveraging substantial operational data—11 million flight hours and 1.8 million flight cycles—to refine and enhance the system. The A350 platform, with over 600 aircraft in service and ongoing production, provides a stable revenue base while Collins positions for future aircraft program opportunities.

This expansion should strengthen Collins' competitive position in nacelle systems and aircraft electrification—a key growth area as the aviation industry continues its push toward more electric aircraft architectures. The co-location strategy connecting the UK engineering site with Collins' electronic controls expertise in Solihull and the company's Aerostructures headquarters in California creates an integrated development ecosystem that should accelerate innovation cycles and implementation capabilities.

Company opens new engineering center of excellence in the UK and an aerostructures production line in France

PARIS, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, expanded its aircraft electrification capabilities with the introduction of a new engineering center of excellence in Wolverhampton, UK, and a new electric thrust reverser actuation systems (elecTRAS™) production line in Colomiers, France. The Wolverhampton center focuses on developing next-generation electric thrust reverser actuation systems for commercial aircraft, featuring state-of-the-art design and test capabilities, and the Colomiers facility will handle the final assembly of these advanced electric systems, enhancing production efficiency and capacity.

By switching from traditional hydraulic-powered thrust reverser actuation systems to elecTRAS, Collins can design nacelle systems that are easier for customers to install and maintain, while also reducing aircraft system weight by 15-20%. This improves fuel efficiency and operational performance. Collins currently supplies the elecTRAS on the Airbus A350 family. As part of an aircraft's nacelle system, thrust reversers redirect thrust from the plane's engines to help it slow down upon landing. 

The final assembly of the system in Colomiers will increase Collins' nacelle integration capacity and enhance customer proximity. Collectively, these efforts will strengthen Collins' aircraft electrification capabilities to support its global customer base.

"With decades of experience in nacelles, thrust reversers, and aircraft electrification, Collins' elecTRAS center of excellence and production line will bring together expertise from across the company to deliver new, innovative solutions for our customers and future platforms," said Ajay Mahajan, president of Aerostructures at Collins Aerospace. "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."

The new Wolverhampton site will serve as the engineering design center for elecTRAS, collaborating closely with Collins' Aerostructures headquarters in Chula Vista, California and other global engineering centers. It will also collaborate with Collins' electronic controls and motor systems center of excellence in Solihull, UK.

With more than 600 A350XWB aircraft in service at the end of 2024 and continued production into the next decade, Collins' latest generation elecTRAS has accrued approximately 11 million flight hours and 1.8 million flight cycles of in-service operational experience.

About Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is a leader in integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Our 80,000 employees are dedicated to delivering future-focused technologies to advance sustainable and connected aviation, passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration, and more

About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than $80 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com

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SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What are the benefits of RTX Collins Aerospace's elecTRAS technology?

ElecTRAS offers 15-20% weight reduction compared to traditional hydraulic systems, easier installation and maintenance, and improved fuel efficiency and operational performance.

Where are RTX Collins Aerospace's new European facilities located?

The new facilities include an engineering center of excellence in Wolverhampton, UK, and a production line in Colomiers, France.

How many flight hours has the RTX Collins elecTRAS system accumulated?

The elecTRAS system has accumulated approximately 11 million flight hours and 1.8 million flight cycles of in-service operational experience.

Which aircraft currently uses RTX Collins' elecTRAS technology?

The elecTRAS technology is currently used on the Airbus A350 family, with over 600 A350XWB aircraft in service by the end of 2024.

What is the purpose of thrust reverser actuation systems in aircraft?

Thrust reversers redirect thrust from the plane's engines to help it slow down upon landing, as part of the aircraft's nacelle system.