29 March, 2019: Collins Aerospace to launch a new propeller Centre of Excellence at its legacy Ratier facility in Figeac, France. Agnes Pannier-Runacher, the French Secretary of State to the Minister of the Economy and Finance was present at the groundbreaking ceremony. The centre is expected to start its operations from 2020.
The 3,000 square meter advanced factory addition will help advanced design, engineering, testing, manufacturing and maintenance capabilities for future propeller technologies.
The new centre will allow Collins Aerospace to develop enhancements for existing propellers, new systems for future turboprops and disruptive technologies for next-generation aircraft, while also helping to reduce cycle times for customers through increased automation. The advanced engineering capabilities of the centre will help the company to optimise propeller designs that improve aerodynamics while reducing weight, noise and fuel consumption for a propeller that is more environmentally friendly. Collins Aerospace will also use the centre to design a propeller with prognostic health monitoring capabilities to help airlines reduce maintenance time and costs.