The Boeing Company has selected Liebherr-Aerospace to supply the brake remote electronic unit for the in-development Boeing 777-8 Freighter. The Contracts, announced on July 31, 2026, expands the German manufacturer’s footprint of electronic components on Boeing Commercial-Aircraft.

The brake remote electronic unit (REU) functions as a data concentrator for the aircraft braking system. According to a press release issued by Liebherr, the system supports active brake monitoring and ensures compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Regulations regarding latent failure detection. Each Boeing 777-8 Freighter will be equipped with one brake REU.

Manufacturing and development footprint

The units will be developed and manufactured by Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH at its facility in Lindenberg, Germany. The company is executing the project in cooperation with CUONICS GmbH, an aviation electronics specialist based in Straubing, Germany.

Liebherr-Aerospace began development work on its remote electronic unit concept in 2018. The Boeing 777-8 Freighter contract marks the second type of REU the company will supply to Boeing. In January 2019, Boeing selected Liebherr to deliver the nose wheel steering REU for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family.

Dr. Klaus Schneider, Chief Technology Officer at Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS, highlighted the long-term relationship between the two companies.

“We have worked in close collaboration with our customer over the past decade. To be on board Boeing commercial airplanes with our electronic products is an important milestone for Liebherr,” Schneider stated.

Expanding presence on Boeing platforms

Beyond the newly announced brake REU and the Boeing 787 nose wheel steering unit, Liebherr already supplies the main gear steering control unit for the current Boeing 777 program.

The Boeing 777-8 Freighter is the dedicated cargo variant of the Boeing 777X family. The aircraft is designed to replace older large-capacity freighters with improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs.

AirPro News analysis

We view Liebherr’s expanding portfolio on Boeing aircraft as a clear indicator of the manufacturer’s successful transition from traditional hydro-mechanical systems to integrated electronic control architectures. Securing the brake REU contract for the Boeing 777-8 Freighter validates the strategic investment Liebherr made in 2018 when it launched its remote electronic unit concept. As aircraft systems become increasingly electrified and data-dependent, suppliers that can deliver compliant, localized data concentrators like the REU are well-positioned to capture market share on next-generation airframes.

Sources: Liebherr

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granted type certification to the Safran Arriel 2K turboshaft engine on July 8, 2026, clearing a critical regulatory hurdle for the Leonardo AW09 single-engine Helicopters program. Safran Helicopter Engines announced the certification milestone in a press release on July 30, 2026. The engine approval allows Leonardo to focus on the final aircraft certification and subsequent entry into commercial service for the AW09.

Testing and certification pathway

The Arriel 2K accumulated more than 4,100 hours of testing since its initial bench tests in 2022. This total includes over 600 flight hours. Safran conducted ground testing at its facility in Bordes, France, and at the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) testing center in Saclay, France. Flight testing took place in Mollis, Switzerland, utilizing the AW09 prototypes.

Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet highlighted the program’s progression in the company’s July 30 statement.

“The certification of the Arriel 2K marks another defining step towards the entry into service of the AW09. All the teams at Safran Helicopter Engines are ready to support Leonardo and its customers in bringing this brand-new helicopter into service.”

Technical architecture and program integration

The Arriel 2K operates in the 1,000 shaft horsepower (shp) class. The engine architecture features a two-stage compressor utilizing one axial and one centrifugal stage, alongside an annular combustion chamber. The system is managed by a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and includes an Engine Auxiliary Control Box (EACB) designed to reduce pilot workload during operation.

Leonardo selected the Arriel 2K for the AW09 program on January 26, 2023. This decision replaced the previously planned Honeywell HTS900 engine. The AW09 was originally developed by Kopter Group, which Leonardo acquired in April 2020. Following the engine selection, the Arriel 2K completed its Maiden-Flight on the AW09 PS4 prototype on March 16, 2023. Safran has produced more than 15,500 engines in the Arriel family to date.

AirPro News analysis

Leonardo took a calculated schedule risk when it opted to change the AW09 engine supplier in early 2023. Securing EASA type certification for the Arriel 2K just over three years after that decision validates the integration strategy. We view the selection of the Arriel family as a move to leverage an established global support network. With more than 15,500 Arriel engines already in the field, prospective AW09 operators will have access to a mature maintenance infrastructure upon the helicopter’s entry into service. The focus now shifts entirely to the AW09 airframe certification campaign.

Sources: Safran

Diehl Aviation inaugurated a new 12,000-square-meter production facility in Craiova, Romania, on July 29, 2026, expanding its European manufacturing footprint for Commercial-Aircraft cabin and systems components.

The mid-double-digit million euro investment, developed in cooperation with local partner Global Vision, will provide additional capacity alongside the company’s existing operations in Germany, Hungary, and Mexico. Serial production is scheduled to begin in autumn 2026.

Facility specifications and production scope

The site occupies a 33,500-square-meter plot in the Dolj region. The facility itself encompasses 12,000 square meters of production and office space. Construction on the site began in July 2025.

The Craiova plant will manufacture manually laminated composite cabin components, insulation blankets, and tanks for aircraft water and waste systems.

Workforce development and regional integration

The facility will launch its operational phase with an initial workforce of 75 employees. Diehl Aviation plans a medium-term expansion to approximately 500 workers.

According to April 2026 reporting by Aviation Week, early hires underwent training to meet company standards for processes, quality, and safety ahead of the summer opening. Diehl Aviation also announced plans to establish Partnerships with regional universities and educational institutions to develop engineering and Manufacturing expertise for the local aerospace sector.

The July 29 ceremony was attended by Diehl Aviation Chief Executive Officer Jörg Schuler, German Ambassador to Romania Angela Ganninger, Craiova Mayor Lia-Olguta Vasilescu, and Dolj County Council President Cosmin Dorin Casile.

“The opening of our Craiova facility marks an important milestone for Diehl Aviation,” Schuler stated in the company’s press release. “The new facility expands our manufacturing capabilities and strengthens our ability to support customers worldwide with the quality, reliability and delivery performance they expect from Diehl Aviation.”

AirPro News analysis

We view Diehl Aviation’s expansion into Romania as a strategic move to build supply chain resilience and manage production costs within the European Union. By locating in Craiova, the Manufacturers secures access to an emerging aerospace labor market while maintaining proximity to major European final assembly lines. The planned partnerships with local universities suggest a long-term Strategy to cultivate a specialized workforce rather than relying solely on existing regional talent pools.

Sources: Diehl Aviation