Safran is at home in Texas, with 11 of its businesses operating in the state

Safran’s businesses in Texas produce equipment and systems that literally outfit aircraft and helicopters from nose to tail, with the activity increasing to meet evolving market opportunities.

In the past few months, this included the launch of a final assembly line for Arriel 2E helicopter engines at the Safran Helicopter Engines USA facility in Grand Prairie, with this version equipping the newest UH-72B rotorcraft built by Airbus for the U.S. Army. The Arriel engine in its various versions have a solid footprint in the U.S., with more than 3,000 powerplants in service – including those used on the Army’s Lakota fleet (with over 900 engines in service) and the U.S. Coast Guard’s inventory of Airbus MH-65 Dolphin helicopters.

Another recent development was Safran Landing Systems’ inauguration of its new wheel and brake repair facility in Grand Prairie, which provides maintenance, overhaul and logistics services for wheels and carbon brakes to Safran’s airline customers, as well as the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy in support of their military platforms.

Services for helicopter and turbojet engines, well as auxiliary power units

Contributing to Safran’s presence in Grand Prairie is Safran Power Units (a subsidiary of Safran Helicopter Engines), where MRO services are provided for auxiliary power units as well as the gas turbine starting systems in the U.S. Navy’s T-45 trainer jets. The company also produces and maintains TR60 turbojet engines for U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Army aerial targets.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers U.S. customers a broad range of avionics, electromechanical, and lighting solutions for civil and military rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft. The company’s Grand Prairie facility provides MRO services, marketing and sales of avionics equipment. Customers supported at this site include Airbus Helicopters (complete autopilot system of the UH-72A Lakota helicopter) and Bell (flight controls for the Bell 429).  

Overall, the Safran Group’s Texas presence involves 11 businesses and operations. In addition to Safran Helicopter Engines, Safran Landing Systems and Safran Electronics & Defense, it includes CFAN, CFM Materials, Safran Cabin, Safran Electrical & Power, Safran Electronics & Defense, Safran Power Units, Safran Seats, and Safran USA.

Key components for world-leading jet engines

In the propulsion sector, Texas is home to CFM Materials and CFAN – joint ventures involving the propulsion activities of General Electric and Safran Aircraft Engines. CFM Materials (which is another Grand Prairie-based operation of Safran) is the world's largest provider of used serviceable components for jet engines produced by CFM International (a joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE), which power the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 airliner families.

In San Marcos, CFAN produces highly advanced composite fan blades for the high-thrust GE90 and GEnx engines used on widebody Boeing 777, 787 and 747-8 jetliners.

The Houston sales and marketing office for Safran Cabin’s catering operation supports customers for this business unit – which is the world's leading supplier of trolleys, carts, and standard containers.  

Gainesville-based Safran Seats undertakes the design, manufacture, certification and assembly of its passenger seat product line for airlines around world.

Safran business operations in the city of Denton

Greenpoint Technologies, a Safran Cabin company, is a premier business jet completion center – offering turnkey interior completions for private clients and heads-of-state. Its Denton location handles cabinetry operations for VIP aircraft along with precision machining.

Safran Electrical & Power, which is  a leader in aircraft electrical systems, also is situated at Denton. The company’s facility is dedicated to the production of wire harnesses and panels for a variety of commercial and military airplanes and helicopter.

Beyond production and services, Safran’s operations in Texas provide human resources, accounting, legal, IT, and administration skills in support of Safran companies across North America, performed by Irving-based Safran USA Shared Services Operations.

Safran’s commitment to environmental protection

As a responsible corporate citizen, Safran is committed to protecting the environment in the areas where its businesses are located – and Texas is no exception. In 2021, Safran Helicopter Engines USA and Safran Electronics & Defense, Avionics USA were recognized during the Grand Prairie Annual Environmental Awards for their participation in the Clean Air Action Challenge, which was organized by the city of Grand Prairie.

Safran Helicopter Engines USA was named the Challenge winner for 2021, based on the number of pledges made by employees and the carbon reduction initiatives implemented at its Grand Prairie facility. Safran Electronics & Defense Avionics USA was recognized as a participant in the Challenge, with the company also received the 2020-2021 Pretreatment 100% Compliance Award.