Safran and AURA AERO Sign TG600 Deal for ERA Aircraft

Safran Helicopter Engines and AURA AERO signed a definitive agreement on July 27, 2026, to develop and integrate TG600 turbogenerators into the prototype of the Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA). The contract secures the critical power-generation architecture for the 19-seat hybrid-electric aircraft, advancing the program toward its first flight and industrialization.

Announced in a joint press release, the agreement transitions a June 2023 Memorandum of Understanding into a binding development phase. The ERA will utilize a distributed hybrid-electric Propulsion system, relying on two Safran TG600 turbogenerators to supply power to eight ENGINeUS electric motors mounted along the wings.

Propulsion architecture and technical specifications

The integration of the propulsion system is a joint effort between Safran Helicopter Engines, Safran Electrical & Power, and AURA AERO. Each TG600 turbogenerator is capable of delivering 600 kilowatts of electrical power output. These units will generate the electricity required to drive the eight ENGINeUS motors during flight phases that demand sustained power, enabling the aircraft to achieve its maximum range of 900 nautical miles (1,500 kilometers).

Cédric Goubet, President of Safran Helicopter Engines, stated that the TG600 will be an essential element of the ERA’s hybrid propulsion system.

“We are particularly pleased to reach this important milestone in our Partnerships with Aura Aero and thus contribute to advancing the decarbonization of aviation alongside this up-and-coming French aircraft manufacturer. Our teams will now work with those of Aura Aero towards the first flight of a prototype.”

The turbogenerator agreement follows a related announcement on July 20, 2026, in which Safran Electrical & Power and AURA AERO expanded their strategic partnership. That agreement focused on the serial production of the fully electric INTEGRAL E trainer aircraft and confirmed the selection of the ENGINeUS motors for the ERA. Jérémy Caussade, President and Co-founder of AURA AERO, noted that strengthening the partnership with Safran Electrical & Power consolidates the technological and industrial roadmap for both aircraft programs.

Market momentum for the ERA and TG600

The definitive agreement with Safran provides industrial backing for the ERA as AURA AERO works to convert its initial market interest into a firm backlog. In March 2026, French private airline Pan Européenne Air Service placed the first firm Orders for the ERA. Prior to this firm order, AURA AERO had secured approximately 700 Letters of Intent (LOIs) for the aircraft, representing an estimated total value of $12 billion.

The TG600 turbogenerator is also gaining traction beyond the ERA program. On July 15, 2026, Safran Helicopter Engines secured a life-of-program production agreement with United States-based Manufacturers Electra. Under that Contracts, Safran will supply the TG600 for Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft, demonstrating broader industry adoption of the 600 kW power generation architecture for next-generation regional platforms.

AirPro News analysis

We view the July 27 agreement as a critical de-risking milestone for AURA AERO. Transitioning from a Memorandum of Understanding to a definitive development contract with a Tier 1 aerospace supplier like Safran provides the ERA program with necessary industrial credibility. The sequential announcements throughout July 2026, including the INTEGRAL E production agreement and the Electra TG600 contract, indicate that Safran is aggressively positioning its turbogenerator and electric motor portfolios as the default propulsion solutions for the emerging sub-20-seat hybrid-electric market. Securing firm hardware commitments is essential for AURA AERO to convert its substantial $12 billion backlog of Letters of Intent into firm orders, following the initial commitment from Pan Européenne Air Service.

Sources: AURA AERO