Safran Helicopter Engines Developing Turbogenerator For Electra’s eSTOL

LE BOURGET—Safran Helicopter Engines will develop a 600-kW turbogenerator for U.S. startup Electra.aero’s prototype nine-passenger hybrid-electric short-takeoff-and-landing (eSTOL) aircraft. 

Unveiled here at the Paris Air Show, the TG600 turbogenerator is based on the Arrano turboshaft engine, driving two Safran GENeUS electrical generators.

On Electra’s aircraft, the turbogenerator will power eight electric motors and propellers mounted on the leading edge of the high wing. The slipstream from the propellers will blow over the wing and double-slotted Fowler flaps to increase the lift coefficient and enable the aircraft to take off and land with a ground roll of just 150 ft. The aircraft is designed to carry nine passengers or 2,500 lb. of cargo 500 nm.

Safran has already ground tested several types of turbogenerators at various power levels.

“We will be bringing to their project all the expertise we have independently developed in the field of hybrid-electric propulsion, combining electric and thermal energy sources to develop the right turbogenerator for Electra’s first nine-passenger prototype aircraft,” says Florent Chauvancy, Safran Helicopter Engines executive vice president for OEM sales.

Manassas, Virginia-based Electra on June 12 unveiled its EL-2 Goldfinch technology demonstrator. The piloted two-seat aircraft is set to fly this year to validate the startup’s distributed electric propulsion blown lift technology and prove it can enable the aircraft to take off and land with a 150-ft. ground roll.

The full-scale prototype of the nine-passenger eSTOL aircraft is planned to fly in 2025, and will be funded by Electra’s ongoing Series B round, which includes a U.S. Air Force AFWerx Strategic Funding Increase (Stratfi) award that secures up to $85 million of combined government funding and matching private investment.

The objective of the Stratfi award is to fly the prototype in operationally relevant ways, Electra says, such as logistics resupply and medical evacuation. Following this initial nonconforming prototype, Electra plans to build certification test aircraft, aiming for entry into service in 2028—a slip of two years from the startup’s original target.

“The turbogenerator is the heart of this hybrid propulsion system,” Electra’s Vice President and General Manager JP Stewart says. “Safran Helicopter Engines is integrating a class-leading, modern turbine with their high-efficiency generators and backing it with a strong support network.”