RTX’s (NYSE: RTX) Collins Aerospace has officially declared its Engineering Center of Excellence in Wolverhampton, UK, fully operational as of July 9, 2026.
The facility is purpose-built to advance the development of electric thrust reverser actuation systems, branded by Collins as elecTRAS, for next-generation commercial aircraft.
At the heart of the center is a modular and scalable test facility designed to support aircraft actuation system design, testing, and certification processes.
The elecTRAS technology eliminates traditional hydraulic actuation interfaces and fluids, delivering a 15 to 20 percent reduction in nacelle actuation weight at the integrated aircraft system level.
Wolverhampton’s testing capabilities are engineered to simulate real-world flight conditions for components, actuators, subsystems, and fully integrated systems under one roof.
By feeding early-stage test results directly into system analysis, engineers can resolve potential issues faster, cutting development delays and improving design scalability for future programs.
“Our Engineering Center of Excellence reflects RTX’s commitment to delivering innovative, efficient and cost-effective solutions for the aerospace industry,” said Ajay Mahajan, president of Advanced Structures at Collins Aerospace.
Mahajan added that “this unique modular approach supports the industry’s transition to more-electric systems, aligning with original equipment manufacturers’ forward-looking goals while improving fuel efficiency, operational performance, and ease of maintenance.”
The co-location of elecTRAS systems and nacelle actuation design expertise under one facility is intended to streamline collaboration and accelerate the overall development timeline.
Skilled engineers at the site are focused on electric systems innovation, smart algorithms, and motor control architecture, while continuing to support existing commercial fleets.
The elecTRAS technology is already proven in service, having been deployed on the Airbus A350 family and logging more than 15 million flight hours and 2.2 million flight cycles across more than 700 aircraft as of 2025.
RTX, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, employs more than 180,000 people globally and reported 2025 sales of more than $88 billion across its aviation and defense businesses.
