VISTAC · Project

Smart Lightweight Valve Replaces Halon in Aircraft Fire Safety Systems

transportTestedTRL 6

ec.europa.eu

Airplanes need systems that prevent fuel tanks and cargo areas from catching fire — traditionally using halon gas, which is terrible for the ozone layer. This project built a smart valve that directs inert gas to the right place at the right time, using a clever trick: metal alloys that change shape when heated by an electrical signal. Think of it like a thermostat that opens and closes water pipes in your house, except this one is ultra-light, ultra-reliable, and designed for the extreme conditions inside an aircraft. The valve reached demonstration-ready status, meaning it works and is ready for the next step toward certification.

By the numbers

TRL6

Technology Readiness Level achieved

MRL6

Manufacturing Readiness Level achieved

EUR 349,597

EU contribution to development

Industrial SME partners in consortium

100%

Industry ratio in consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Aircraft fire suppression systems still rely on halon, an ozone-depleting substance being phased out by international regulation. Replacing halon requires new inerting system architectures with smart valves that can reliably direct inert gas to fuel tanks and cargo compartments — but current valve solutions are too heavy, too expensive, or too complex to maintain.

The solution

What was built

A smart multiposition valve with thermal actuators based on Shape Memory Alloys or thermostatic wax, designed for halon-free aircraft fire extinguishing and fuel tank inerting systems. The project delivered a physical demonstrator (built for exhibition), matured the technology to TRL6 and MRL6, and produced 3 deliverables total.

Audience

Who needs this

Aircraft OEMs designing next-generation fire protection systems (Airbus, Dassault, ATR)Tier-1 aerospace suppliers of fluid management and safety systemsMRO providers maintaining legacy fire suppression valve assembliesMilitary and defense aircraft manufacturers eliminating halonRotorcraft and business jet manufacturers needing lightweight inerting solutions

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Aerospace & Aircraft Systems

enterprise

Target: Aircraft system integrators and OEMs designing next-generation fire protection

If you are an aircraft OEM or Tier-1 supplier phasing out halon-based fire extinguishing systems — this project developed a smart multiposition valve using Shape Memory Alloy actuators that is low weight, low cost, and matured to TRL6. It enables a shared On Board Inert Gas Generation (OBIGGS) system for both fuel tank inerting and cargo fire suppression, reducing component count and system weight.

MRO & Aviation Maintenance

mid-size

Target: Maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers for aircraft fluid and safety systems

If you are an MRO provider dealing with costly maintenance of legacy fire suppression valves — this project designed a valve optimized for maintainability with fewer moving parts and thermal actuators instead of complex electromechanical assemblies. The valve was developed by 2 specialized SMEs with production-ready manufacturing readiness (MRL6), meaning spare parts and servicing could be simpler and cheaper.

Defense & Rotorcraft

enterprise

Target: Military and rotorcraft manufacturers needing lightweight inerting solutions

If you are a defense or rotorcraft manufacturer required to eliminate halon under international environmental regulations — this project produced a demonstrated smart valve that integrates thermal actuation technology from Shape Memory Alloys. With EUR 349,597 in EU funding and a physical demonstrator already built, this valve technology could be adapted for military platforms that share similar fuel tank inerting requirements.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would this valve cost compared to current solutions?

The project objective explicitly targets 'low cost' as a design requirement alongside low weight and high reliability. Exact unit pricing is not published in the project data. However, the thermal actuator design (using Shape Memory Alloys or thermostatic wax) replaces more complex electromechanical assemblies, which typically reduces both manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Can this be produced at industrial scale?

The valve was matured to MRL6 (Manufacturing Readiness Level 6), meaning the manufacturing process has been demonstrated in a production-relevant environment. The coordinator, Equip'Aero TECHNIQUE, is a recognized design and production organization for aircraft fluid management equipment, so they already have production capabilities in place.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

The project was carried out by 2 French SMEs under the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking. IP ownership typically follows Clean Sky 2 rules where participants retain their foreground IP. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium partners. Based on available project data, no open licensing is indicated.

Does this meet aviation certification requirements?

The valve reached TRL6 (demonstrated in a relevant environment). The project objective states that partners 'may then be able to propose to further certification an optimized fire extinguishing system.' Full aviation certification (e.g., EASA) would require additional work beyond the project scope.

How long before this could be integrated into our aircraft program?

The project ran from February 2021 to February 2023 and achieved TRL6/MRL6. Moving from TRL6 to certified, flight-ready hardware (TRL8-9) typically requires additional qualification and certification testing. Based on available project data, the technology is demonstration-ready but not yet certified for flight.

What makes the thermal actuator better than existing electric or pneumatic valves?

The Shape Memory Alloy or thermostatic wax actuators convert heat from an electrical signal directly into mechanical force and stroke — eliminating complex gearboxes or pneumatic lines. This reduces weight, part count, and failure modes. The underlying thermal actuator technology was already being developed in a parallel project (ATHT) at Equip'Aero TECHNIQUE.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a lean, fully industrial consortium of 2 French SMEs with 100% industry participation and zero academic partners — a strong signal of commercial intent. The coordinator, E A TECHNIQUE (Equip'Aero TECHNIQUE), is described as a recognized design and production organization for aircraft fluid management equipment, meaning they already manufacture similar products. Their partner GDTech brings simulation expertise in thermal, fluid, and multiphysics behavior of aeronautical equipment. With EUR 349,597 in EU funding, this was a focused development effort rather than broad research, and the all-SME composition means the partners have direct commercial motivation to bring the valve to market.

GDTECH FRANCE SASparticipant · FR

How to reach the team

Search for Equip'Aero TECHNIQUE (France) — aircraft fluid management equipment manufacturer. Contact their R&D or business development department.

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Next steps

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