Safran Aero Boosters signs important contract for Ariane 6

Farnborough, July 13, 2016

• Position on flow regulation equipment consolidated
• Production for Ariane 6 to increase four-fold
• Expertise on electrical actuators recognized

Safran Aero Boosters signed a contract with Airbus Safran Launchers to develop regulation equipment for Ariane 6. This contract covers valves for the Vulcain 2.1 engine for the lower stage (the same as those already developed for Ariane 5 to which two new ones will be added) as well as equipment for the Vinci propulsion stage.

Developed and funded under the aegis of the European Space Agency (ESA), the Ariane 6 launch vehicle is the result of contributions made by various Member States including Belgium where Safran Aero Boosters is located. The contribution made by Belgium has provided a means for Safran Aero Boosters to develop its aerospace operations since the EU first got involved in space exploration.

This agreement consolidates Safran Aero Boosters's position as a European leader for high-level expertise in the field and will see a four-fold increase in the number of valves produced compared to current work on Ariane 5: around twenty valves for 11 launches per year giving an annual production of over 200 valves compared with the current production of 50.

Safran Aero Boosters's space activity has thus been consolidated, proving that the company's continued efforts in research and development, with the essential support of public authorities, meet the objectives of those leading the European launcher.

Electronic actuators are the key issue which will lead to gains in cost, mass and implementation for systems-engineering companies.

Safran Aero Boosters has been involved since the pre-project phase and is committed to helping increase the competitiveness of the forthcoming launcher by reducing costs while keeping the total reliability of its products.