Safran Electrical & Power in France and Swiss company H55 have signed an agreement to integrate the Safran ENGINeUS permanent-magnet motor into the H55 electric propulsion system, powering the fully electric B23 Energic aircraft from Czech aircraft company Bristell – destined to set new milestones in electric aviation.
The collaboration aims to deliver certified electric propulsion solutions for general aviation, targeting CS-23 / Part 23 Level 1 and 2 aircraft. It combines Safran’s EASA certified ENGINeUS electric motor technology with H55’s energy storage and propulsion integration capabilities. With certification remaining the main barrier to entry in electric aviation, both companies have recently achieved key EASA certification milestones. Building on this combined expertise, the partnership is expected to accelerate the availability of certified electric propulsion solutions for next-generation 2-6 seat aircraft.
The Bristell B23 Energic program serves as the initial certification platform for general aviation, targeting the rapidly expanding electric pilot training market. This market is driven by increasing demand for lower operating costs and zero-emission operations. Safran Electrical & Power will support both the prototype and serial production phases, beginning in 2027, and will also deliver dedicated in-service support.
“We are pleased that H55 has selected ENGINeUS for its propulsion system on the Bristell B23 Energic. As the only certified electric motor in the aviation market, ENGINeUS continues to set the industry standard, offering an outstanding power-to-weight ratio and proven, reliable performance while fully addressing market requirements. ENGINeUS enables the development of both all-electric and hybrid aircraft, making it a key asset for introducing fully certified and integrated solutions to the market,” said Agnès Pronost-Gilles, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Power Division, Safran Electrical & Power.
“This partnership brings together the two companies that have done the hardest work in certified electric aviation for light aircraft — eight years of H55 building the only battery architecture to complete an EASA-witnessed module test campaign, and Safran delivering the ENGINeUS motor family as the benchmark for certified electric propulsion in the light general aviation market. When you combine the standard-bearer for certified energy storage with the standard-bearer for certified electric motors, you give OEMs something they haven’t had: a complete, certifiable electric propulsion system they can build an aircraft around — and that compresses the path to certified aircraft by years, not months,” said Rob Solomon, CEO for H55.
“Flight schools from Europe to North America already build their fleets around the Bristell B23, a platform certified under both EASA and FAA and available across several engine configurations. Adding certified electric propulsion from H55 and Safran to this foundation means operators can transition to zero-emission training with minimal disruption. Same cockpit, same support network, new powertrain. That is a practical path to electric flight” said Martin Bristela, CEO and Co-Founder, Bristell – BRM AERO.
Safran engineers have equipped ENGINeUS 100 with remarkable power density—180 kW maximum takeoff power—integrated electronics, air cooling, silicon carbide technology, a highly optimized electromagnetic architecture and a robust design. It covers a broad range of applications: from 100% electric propulsion for two to four- passenger aircraft, to distributed hybrid-electric propulsion for 19-passenger small regional transport aircraft, right up to the electric hybridization of future generations of commercial aircraft engines, capable of carrying 150 passengers.
Its versatility also makes it highly suitable for defense-related platforms and missions, where reliability and performance are critical. Many aircraft manufacturers operating in new air mobility have already opted for the ENGINeUS motor: Ascendance, AURA AERO, Bye Aerospace, CAE, Diamond Aircraft, TCab Tech, and VoltAero. Safran Electrical & Power is collaborating with them to adapt the motor to their specific aircraft needs.
Automating for rapid production of ENGINeUS 100 motor
On May 29, Safran Electrical & Power announced it has signed a €14.7 million grant agreement with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency in support of implementing automation to enable high-rate production of the ENGINeUS 100 electric motor at the company’s Niort facility. The operation is in western France, located about 63 km east of La Rochelle. The project covers a seven-year period, from 2026 to the end of 2032, aiding Safran E&P to commission two semi-automated assembly lines, a dedicated integrated logistics support line, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities. The manufacturing setup is designed for flexibility and efficiency, applying proven industrial practices inspired by the automotive sector to ensure technology maturity, cost excellence, and operational efficiency.
About the companies
Safran Electrical & Power is one of the one of the world leaders in aeronautical electrical systems. Part of the Safran aerospace & defense group based in Paris, it has more than 15,500 employees in 13 countries. H55 is a Swiss-based company specializing in certified electric propulsion and certification-grade energy storage systems for aviation. It has designed, built, and flown multiple electric aircraft and has accumulated more than 2,000 hours of fully electric flight. Bristell by BRM Aero is a Czech aircraft manufacturer specializing in light sport and general aviation aircraft. With comprehensive in-house manufacturing at its Kunovice facility, the company produces 110+ aircraft annually. See www.bristell.com, www.safrangroup.com, www.h55.ch.
