US-based Collins Aerospace has opened a new U.K. engineering hub to accelerate the development and certification of electric thrust reverser systems for next-generation aircraft.
The company announced that its Engineering Center of Excellence in Wolverhampton is now fully operational, serving as the central hub for developing Collins’ electric thrust reverser actuation system (elecTRAS).
The facility features a modular, scalable test environment capable of simulating real-world conditions to evaluate aircraft components, actuators, subsystems, and fully integrated systems.
“By integrating early-stage test results into system analysis, potential issues are resolved quickly, reducing delays and enhancing distinctive design scalability for future applications,” said the company in a news release.
15% to 20% reduction in nacelle actuation weight
This investment comes as aircraft manufacturers increasingly seek to replace hydraulic systems with electric alternatives. These changes aim to reduce weight, simplify maintenance, and enhance overall aircraft efficiency.
The elecTRAS technology eliminates the need for hydraulic actuation interfaces and fluids, leading to a 15% to 20% weight reduction in nacelle actuation at the integrated aircraft system level.
This lighter architecture improves fuel efficiency, operational performance, and maintenance ease while aligning with original equipment manufacturers’ (OEMs) long-term electrification strategies.
“Our Engineering Center of Excellence reflects RTX’s commitment to delivering innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for the aerospace industry,” said Ajay Mahajan, president of Advanced Structures at Collins Aerospace.
“This unique modular approach supports the industry’s transition to more-electric systems, aligning with the forward-looking goals of original equipment manufacturers while improving fuel efficiency, operational performance, and ease of maintenance.”
The company has also consolidated its elecTRAS systems engineering and nacelle actuation design teams at this site to streamline development and strengthen collaboration between engineering and certification functions.
Engineers at the center focus on advancing electric systems, motor control architectures, and smart control algorithms while continuing to support aircraft already in service.
The future ahead
Collins’ elecTRAS technology is already in commercial service on the Airbus A350 family. As of 2025, the system had accumulated over 15 million flight hours and 2.2 million flight cycles across more than 700 aircraft, providing a substantial operational dataset for future development.
As airframers continue to evaluate more-electric aircraft architectures, electric actuation systems are expected to play an increasingly vital role in reducing aircraft weight and eliminating hydraulic complexity. Collins believes its new Engineering Center of Excellence will allow the company to support both current production programs and future platform development through these flexible testing and certification capabilities.
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, develops aerospace and defense technologies across various sectors, including avionics, aerostructures, aircraft interiors, engine components, mission systems, and power and control systems. RTX employs over 180,000 people globally and reported more than $88 billion in sales in 2025.
The Wolverhampton Engineering Center of Excellence provides Collins Aerospace with the modular, scalable capabilities needed to drive innovation in aircraft actuation system design, testing, and certification, all while supporting the industry’s transition to more-electric systems.