Safran Electrical & Power to Supply Starter-Generation Systems for U.S. Army’s FLRAA Program

Safran Electrical & Power announced today that it has signed an agreement with Bell Textron Inc. to provide starter-generation systems for the U.S. Army’s new Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program.

Under the agreement, Safran will supply an advanced high-voltage starter-generator system designed to meet the evolving electrical needs of military aircraft. This system will include high-speed rotor and advanced power electronics. The design, development, and qualification processes will be conducted at Safran Electrical & Power’s centers of excellence in Twinsburg, Ohio, and Sarasota, Florida.

The FLRAA weapons system, being developed by Bell, is intended to replace the Army’s UH-60 Blackhawk utility helicopters. This next-generation vertical lift solution will feature a tiltrotor configuration, combining the vertical take-off and landing capability of a helicopter with the range and speed of a twin turboprop aircraft.

Previously, Safran Landing Systems was selected to design and develop the fully integrated landing system for the FLRAA project.

The program aims to provide an aircraft for missions such as air assault, medical evacuation, and logistics support. In December 2022, the Army selected the Bell Textron V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft as a key component of the program. The V-280 Valor offers a top speed of 280 knots, a range exceeding 500 nautical miles, and the capacity to carry 14 troops or 10,000 pounds of cargo.