Paris, 18 June 2025 — A major collaborative research project was launched at the Paris Air Show by a consortium of four leading French aerospace companies—Daher, Safran, Collins Aerospace, and Ascendance. The initiative, called TAGINE (Tentative dans l’Aviation Générale d’Introduction de Nouvelles Énergies), aims to define a hybrid-electric propulsion system tailored for general aviation aircraft in the 6- to 10-seat category. The effort supports France’s national decarbonisation roadmap set by DGAC and CORAC.
With over 25,000 such light aircraft in operation globally, the segment is seen as a critical starting point for the ecological transition of air transportation, targeting operational readiness by 2027.
A Collaborative Technological Effort
TAGINE leverages the unique strengths of each partner:
- Daher, as project leader, contributes its expertise as an OEM and aircraft architect, focusing on system integration, energy efficiency, and airframe design. Daher’s Kodiak aircraft will serve as the use-case platform for the hybrid system.
- Safran, through its Helicopter Engines division and Safran Tech, is exploring a hybrid system combining a next-generation turbine with an electric motor. The power split between electric and thermal sources will be optimised for reduced fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions, and noise.
- Collins Aerospace is tasked with aeroacoustic propeller optimisation, developing an electric pitch-change system, and contributing to propulsion system integration. These innovations will enhance overall energy efficiency while reducing mass.
- Ascendance, known for its hybrid-electric technologies, brings its Hybrid Operating System to the project. It will manage energy control, define battery requirements, and integrate battery systems into the aircraft’s design.
Strategic Support and Roadmap
Funded by CORAC and DGAC, TAGINE is set to run for over two years, with its first environmental impact assessment results expected by the end of 2025. Major milestones will be presented at the next Paris Air Show.
The project will evaluate:
- Performance and environmental impact
- Regulatory feasibility for future certification
Toward Greener Skies
Hybrid-electric propulsion is seen as a vital building block in aviation’s transition to a low-carbon future. By enabling substantial fuel savings and supporting the integration of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), the TAGINE project positions France at the forefront of innovation in regional air mobility.
This initiative reflects a broader vision of sustainable aviation and underscores France’s leadership in advancing eco-efficient technologies through collaborative industry partnerships.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: DAHER
