UMBRAGROUP SPA

Their core work

UmbraGroup is an Italian manufacturer specializing in precision ball screws and electromechanical actuators (EMAs) for aerospace and energy applications. They develop, validate, and certify EMA systems for aircraft flight control surfaces, landing gear, and rotorcraft, working across the full lifecycle from design to TRL 6 validation and permit-to-flight certification. Beyond aerospace, they have applied their electromechanical expertise to ocean energy power take-off systems, demonstrating the versatility of their core actuation technology. Based in Foligno (Umbria), they operate as a key component supplier within European aerospace supply chains, particularly through Clean Sky 2 Joint Technology Initiative programs.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

UmbraGroup's early H2020 work (2014–2018) centered on developing and certifying electromechanical actuators for aircraft flight control — designing EMAs, building electronic control units, and pushing toward permit-to-flight readiness (REPRISE, EMA4FLIGHT, VALEMA). From 2018 onward, they broadened in two directions: applying their ball screw and actuation know-how to ocean energy (IMAGINE) and moving into more complex aerospace platforms including fail-safe landing gear systems and fast rotorcraft (FASE-LAG, GAM-2020-FRC). This evolution shows a company that has matured its core EMA technology and is now extending it into higher-stakes aerospace applications and entirely new energy domains.

UmbraGroup is expanding from flight control components into safety-critical landing gear systems and diversifying their electromechanical expertise into marine energy — signaling readiness for partnerships beyond traditional aerospace.

How they like to work

UmbraGroup balances leadership and partnership almost evenly — coordinating 4 of 9 projects while participating in 5 — which indicates a company confident enough to lead its own R&D agenda but also valued as a specialist contributor in larger consortia. With 69 unique partners across 14 countries, they maintain a broad European network rather than relying on a small circle of repeat collaborators. Their coordinator projects tend to be focused, sector-specific efforts (REPRISE, FASE-LAG, IMAGINE), while their participant roles are in large platform programs like Clean Sky 2 and GAM regional aircraft demonstrators.

UmbraGroup has collaborated with 69 distinct partners across 14 European countries, reflecting a well-connected position within the EU aerospace supply chain. Their network spans Clean Sky 2 industrial partnerships, regional aircraft consortia, and energy research groups.

What sets them apart

UmbraGroup occupies a rare niche as a precision mechanical components manufacturer that actively leads EU research — most companies of their type participate passively, but UmbraGroup coordinates projects and drives technology agendas. Their ball screw and EMA expertise is highly transferable: proven in aerospace flight control, now demonstrated in ocean energy and landing gear, making them a versatile partner for any application requiring reliable electromechanical conversion. For consortium builders, they bring both manufacturing capability and R&D ambition — they can take a concept from design through TRL 6 validation to flight certification.

Highlights from their portfolio

• IMAGINE
  Largest coordinated project (EUR 1.46M) and a bold cross-sector move — applying aerospace ball screw technology to wave energy converters, demonstrating technology transfer from aviation to ocean energy.
• FASE-LAG
  Addresses fail-safe electromechanical landing gear actuation, a safety-critical aerospace application that represents UmbraGroup's push into higher-responsibility aircraft systems.
• GAM-2020-FRC
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 1.28M as participant) in the Fast Rotorcraft program, covering tiltrotor and compound aircraft — positioning UmbraGroup in next-generation vertical flight.