Hispano-Suiza plays a major role in developing the enabling technologies needed for tomorrow’s “more electric” aircraft and propulsion systems. To meet this vital challenge, we call on top-flight people, powerful R&D and production facilities and a global network of scientific partnerships.
 

Power electronics is a key technology for the development of electrical energy on aircraft, replacing the traditional mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic systems. It is adapted for use in the control systems for aircraft equipment and engines.

Hispano-Suiza is investing in the design and development of equipment based on these emerging electrical technologies, to meet the expectations of our engine and aircraft-maker customers.

In addition to the electrical equipment that it designs and produces, Hispano-Suiza is working closely with fellow SAFRAN companies on the overall optimization of aircraft electrical architectures (ATA24 equipment), and the integration of electrical systems in four main areas:
 propulsion systems (engine and nacelle)
 braking and landing systems
 flight control actuators
 electrical power management: from tapping power to wiring.

Hispano-Suiza makes significant investments in the design and developmentof equipment based on these new technologies to meet the needs of ourcustomers, whether engine or aircraft manufacturers.

 ETRAS®
 EBAC
 EBMA
 A TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR THAT HAS PROVEN ITS METTLE: COPPER BIRD®
 SPEC (SAFRAN POWER ELECTRONICS CENTER)
 PARTNER IN THE LEAP56™ TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

ETRAS® (electrical thrust reverser actuation system) for the A380

 The electrical thrust reverser actuation system, or ETRAS®, is the first system of this type on a commercial aircraft. It controls the opening and closing of the thrust reverser via electromechanical actuators. Developed by Hispano-Suiza in partnership with Honeywell, ETRAS® is integrated in the nacelles designed and produced by Aircelle, a fellow company in the Safran Group, for both engines offered on the Airbus A380, the Engine Alliance GP7200 and the Rolls-Royce Trent 900.

Hispano-Suiza developed various electronic and electrical equipment for this system, including:
 ETRAC: electrical thrust reverser actuation controller.
 TRPU: thrust reverser power unit.
 High-power wiring harnesses.

Honeywell was in charge of developing the mechanical parts, including:
 Linear screw actuators.
 Flex shafts.
 Engine brake.

Building on this experience and its proven ability to innovate, Hispano-Suiza is also in charge of developing and producing several major equipment items for fellow Group companies.

EBAC (Electric Brake Actuation Controller)

The electronic unit that controls the actuation of the electric brakes on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. These electric brakes, designed and produced by Messier-Bugatti, also part of SAFRAN, deliver concrete advantages to customers, namely lower weight and operating costs, and greater robustness. This electric brake system has already been chosen on nearly half of all Boeing 787s ordered to date.


EBMA (Electrical Back-up Mechanical Actuator)

A hybrid unit, patented by Messier-Bugatti and developed in conjunction with another SAFRAN company, Sagem. The EBMA is an electrohydraulic actuator that opens and closes the landing gear doors on the A400M military transport. Driven hydraulically in normal mode, it has a 100% electromechanical backup system to ensure total availability of this critical function.

COPPER BIRD® test rig)

 
Initiated within the scope of the European research program POA (Power Optimized Aircraft), Copper Bird® (Characterization and Optimization of Powerplant and Equipment Rig) is a modular test rig dedicated to the development, optimization and testing of electrical networks for aircraft and propulsion systems (engine + nacelle). It will help validate the design of networks for the new generation of “more electric” aircraft. Located at Hispano-Suiza’s Colombes plant, the Copper Bird rig has already been chosen for the Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) Clean Sky, a European technology program that aims to reduce the environmental impact of air transport.

 Hispano-Suiza leads Safran’s center of excellence in power electronics, called SPEC. We are in charge of grouping the areas of expertise and scientific and technological skills of Group companies to pave the way for tomorrow’s electrical systems and equipment for both engines and aircraft.

Hispano-Suiza is participating in the LEAP56™ (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) technology demonstration program launched by Snecma and General Electric to pave the way for the next generation of engines that will power tomorrow’s single-aisle commercial jets. Hispano-Suiza is tasked with proposing innovative solutions for power take-up and control systems.

LEAP56™ aims to anticipate customer requirements at several levels:
 Higher performance
 Lower weight and cost and ownership
 Environmental friendliness.