en.Wedoany.com Reported - Electra and Safran Helicopter Engines have announced a full lifecycle production agreement for the TG600 turbogenerator, which will power Electra's EL9 ultra-short takeoff and landing (ultra-STOL) hybrid-electric aircraft. The agreement marks a significant milestone in the development and certification process of the EL9 ultra-STOL aircraft, which is expected to enter service in 2030.

Under the agreement, the TG600 turbogenerator will serve as the core of the EL9 ultra-STOL aircraft's hybrid-electric propulsion system. The agreement is based on a memorandum of understanding signed in 2023 and includes an initial order for 250 TG600 turbogenerators, enabling production scale to expand with EL9 demand. Electra's EL9 is designed with hybrid-electric propulsion and blown-lift technology, allowing it to take off and land in just 150 feet, thereby operating from locations that have never before supported commercial air service, bringing it closer to where people live, work, and play.

The turbogenerator consists of a gas turbine coupled with one or more generators and power and voltage regulation systems. The TG600 will deliver 600 kilowatts of power, and its development is based on Safran Helicopter Engines' Arrano engine, which offers an 18% reduction in fuel consumption compared to the previous generation. The TG600 will also be equipped with two GENeUS generators supplied by Safran Electrical & Power. In July of this year, Safran Helicopter Engines conducted the first bench test of the initial turbogenerator at its facility in Bordes, France, preparing the generator for the EL9's first flight tests.

Electra CEO Marc Allen stated that the agreement is a decisive step for Electra and the future of advanced air mobility, and that Safran has solidified its leadership in a new era of aviation through this move. Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet said the signing of this contract marks a major milestone in the partnership with Electra and the official launch of the turbogenerator business.

Electra has submitted the EL9 ultra-STOL aircraft to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Part 23 type certification, with the first flight expected in late 2027 or early 2028. By combining Electra's ultra-STOL aircraft architecture with Safran's propulsion and power systems capabilities, the two companies are working to develop and build a new type of aircraft to expand air access, reduce barriers to regional connectivity, and transform how people and goods are transported through the sky.