SAFRAN AEROSYSTEMS

Their core work

Safran Aerosystems is a major division of the Safran Group, specializing in aircraft fuel systems, safety equipment, and environmental control systems for both fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft. In H2020 they contributed fuel system engineering expertise across Clean Sky 2 demonstrator platforms, aviation safety research, and alternative fuel compatibility testing. They also led the development of crashworthy lightweight fuel bladder tanks and next-generation fuel systems for high-speed compound helicopters, while participating in hydrogen fuel cell emergency power and icing certification research.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Early H2020 work (2014–2017) centered on aviation safety fundamentals — fire safety, human factors, risk management — alongside large-scale Clean Sky 2 aircraft demonstrator contributions and initial alternative fuel screening. From 2018 onward, Safran Aerosystems shifted decisively toward future propulsion and energy: hydrogen fuel cells for emergency power, lightweight rotorcraft fuel systems, icing certification, and lifecycle assessment of alternative jet fuels. The trajectory shows a company preparing its fuel system expertise for the decarbonization of aviation.

Safran Aerosystems is repositioning from conventional fuel system engineering toward hydrogen-ready and sustainable aviation fuel technologies — making them a strong partner for future green aviation projects.

How they like to work

Primarily an active partner (9 of 11 projects), but takes the lead when the topic aligns with their core rotorcraft fuel system expertise — both coordinator roles were on fuel tank/system projects for helicopters. With 179 unique consortium partners across 20 countries, they operate as a well-connected industrial node in European aerospace research, comfortable in both large Clean Sky 2 demonstrator platforms and focused research consortia.

Extensive European aerospace network spanning 179 unique partners across 20 countries, reflecting deep integration into the Clean Sky 2 ecosystem and major EU transport safety initiatives. Their partnerships cover the full aerospace supply chain from airframers and engine manufacturers to research institutes and certification bodies.

What sets them apart

Safran Aerosystems occupies a rare niche as a Tier 1 aerospace supplier with deep, specialized expertise in aircraft fuel systems — from crashworthy bladder tanks to fuel cell integration. While many aerospace companies participate broadly in transport research, Safran Aerosystems brings hands-on fuel system engineering that bridges safety, propulsion, and emerging hydrogen technologies. Their dual focus on rotorcraft and large passenger aircraft fuel systems makes them uniquely versatile for consortium builders targeting sustainable aviation.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LPA GAM 2018
  Largest single project at EUR 8.2M — a major Clean Sky 2 Large Passenger Aircraft demonstrator platform, signaling deep integration into Europe's flagship aviation program.
• FLHYSAFE
  Marks Safran Aerosystems' entry into hydrogen fuel cell technology for aircraft emergency power, replacing conventional ram air turbines with PEM fuel cells.
• STRONGRCRAFT
  Coordinated next-generation fuel system development for high-speed compound helicopters, combining lightweight design with safety and environmental performance.