French aerospace firm Safran is internationalising its technology research operation by setting up a centre in the UK – its first outside of France – with a view to supporting next-generation single-aisle aircraft development.

The new centre, Safran Tech UK, is part of a diversification which will also involve research expansion to other countries.

Speaking during a briefing in London on 2 December, Safran chief executive Olivier Andries said the company’s strategy is to be “fully prepared” for a next-generation narrowbody, and maintain its strong position with Airbus.

He says Safran needs to be in position to “make the best offers” when the decision to launch the next-generation aircraft is made. This requires technical research to ensure that its systems have a “leading edge” against competitors.

Andries says the company is heavily investing in technology research over the next five years to secure such a position – adding that Safran aims to be “platform agnostic” and wants to be ready to “jump on board Boeing platforms too”.

Safran Tech UK will focus on two primary areas of advanced research: electrical systems, particularly generation, and specialist work in manufacture of high-performance lightweight composite tubes and rods which could have multiple applications in aircraft.

Andries believes the next generation of engines will be hybridised, with electrical generation complementing the thermal function of engines depending on powerplant use during different phases of flight.

He points out that Safran’s UK site in Pitstone has “strong capabilities” in electrical generation, and this will be a “critical” part of the overall electrical architecture in a next-generation single-aisle aircraft. A generation ‘centre of excellence’ in the UK, he adds, will balance French work on electrical distribution.

Andries also states that electrical motors need magnets which, in turn, rely on rare-earth metals – primarily from China. But he adds: “The supply chain has been weaponised. All of us have to work on how to improve our self-reliance.”

Safran wants to seek alternative sources or even explore whether it can reduce its dependence on such materials.

“Could we imagine rare-earth-free magnets?” Andries wonders, stating that the would need to be capable of matching current performance. “This is the idea, this is the target – I don’t know the answer, but this is science.”

Safran’s acquisition of Collins Aerospace’s flight-control and actuation activities has provided an avenue for UK composite research, notably at its Banbury site, with the aim of replacing metal tubes in various areas, supporting decarbonisation through lighter structures.

Andries says the Safran Tech UK initiative will provide a “catalyst for innovation” to decarbonise aviation.

He believes partnerships established decades ago for the current popular narrowbody aircraft – the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 – will be shaken up by the pursuit of a next-generation single-aisle model.

“The cards are going to be completely reshuffled,” he says.

“Airbus and Boeing are going to open the competition for all those critical systems. Our goal is to optimise our position [with both].”