Light jet company AERALIS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with International Turbine Engine Company, a joint venture between Honeywell and Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), to develop powerplant solutions for the AERALIS aircraft. The agreement, which will be signed at the Paris International Airshow, means the two businesses will work together to design and develop propulsion systems to meet the thrust and power requirements of the portfolio of AERALIS aircraft configurations and their range of mission types.

Alongside this, the agreement will include the design of electrical and thermal management systems needed for the air system. It will also ensure the inclusion of the new propulsion system within the AERALIS Air System digital model, helping provide a proof point for AERALIS’s certification. The MoU will ensure that the aircraft system has both the necessary propulsion to achieve its range of missions, and the ability to meet military ambitions to become Net Zero. Honeywell’s F124 powerplant is compatible with both synthetic and sustainable fuels, helping AERALIS to achieve its core sustainability goals.

The collaboration expands the range of propulsion suppliers that form AERALIS’s modular air system, providing more options and configurations for future air force requirements.

The agreement follows several other key agreements from AERALIS in recent months as the company have signed partnerships to drive forward the development and the uptake of their innovative modular jet aircraft system. These include an agreement with AI-based aviation decision support software specialist Aerogility to aid the development and sale of the AERALIS aircraft service and digital proposition, and an MoU with AirTanker to evaluate opportunities for an aircraft service offering in the light fast-jet defence market.

ITEC is a market leader in the development of supersonic and transonic advanced jet trainers and light combat aircraft. The business’ joint venture partners Honeywell and AIDC have played a significant role in both commercial and defence aviation.

“AERALIS welcomes the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with ITEC to help grow the range of power options supporting our AERALIS aircraft portfolio. The joint work to develop a powerplant is an important step in developing a transformational and sustainable aircraft system, with a high-performing, tried and tested propulsion systems provider. This builds on our ongoing work to partner with businesses across the supply chain to develop a best-in-class light jet air system to deliver the future of air force fleets.” Tristan Crawford, AERALIS founder & CEO.

“The fifth and sixth generation of fighter jets require a new approach to training, one that AERALIS is looking to provide with one of its variants, the Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT). Honeywell/ITEC is pleased to be able to power this innovative new training system, and future aircraft, with its F124 engine solution, which offers the reliability, thrust, and affordability that other competitive offerings simply cannot match.” John Guasto, Honeywell’s Vice President of Defense and Space.