RTX’s Collins Aerospace Launches UK Test Center Cutting Actuation Weight 15–20%
RTX•RTX's Collins Aerospace opened an Engineering Center of Excellence in Wolverhampton, UK, with a modular test facility for elecTRAS electric thrust reverser systems that reduces nacelle actuation weight by 15–20%. Shares slid 2.96% after the elecTRAS technology logged over 15 million flight hours on Airbus A350 aircraft.
1. New UK Engineering Center
RTX’s Collins Aerospace has officially opened its Engineering Center of Excellence in Wolverhampton, UK, establishing a hub for next-generation aircraft system development and testing.
2. Modular Test Facility and elecTRAS
The new facility features a state-of-the-art, modular test setup designed for elecTRAS electric thrust reverser actuation systems, eliminating hydraulic interfaces and delivering a 15–20% nacelle actuation weight reduction at the integrated system level.
3. Proven elecTRAS Track Record
Collins’ elecTRAS technology, already deployed on the Airbus A350 family, has accumulated more than 15 million flight hours and 2.2 million flight cycles across over 700 aircraft as of 2025.
4. Market Reaction
Following the center’s launch and the highlighted performance metrics, RTX shares declined by 2.96%, reflecting investor caution despite the long-term innovation potential of the new testing capabilities.
