Safran Electrical & Power will take part in the next phase of the Boeing ecoDemonstrator programme, which aims to improve commercial aviation's environmental performance throughout an airplane's lifecycle. The French company is demonstrating its capabilities in power generation, distribution, electrical motors, and power electronics by supplying a complete electrical channel for the Boeing 2018 ecoDemonstrator.

In 2018, Boeing and FedEx will work together to test more than 30 new technologies aboard a FedEx-owned 777 Freighter, equipped with Safran Electrical & Power's electrical channel. The flight test campaign will start in February 2018.

Safran Electrical & Power will equip the 2018 ecoDemonstrator with a comprehensive electrical channel, including electric power generation and distribution systems, engine and aircraft wiring, and specific electrical loads (electric fans). The 2018 ecoDemonstrator flight test campaign will seek to demonstrate multiple benefits: overall electrical system efficiency, reduction of energy losses, and weight and operating savings.

Other technologies being tested on the FedEx ecoDemonstrator include a Long-range Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system supplied by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

To date, Boeing's ecoDemonstrator programme, which began in 2011, has tested more than 60 technologies using four airplanes as flying test beds. Previous phases of the programme have involved a Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 (2012), a Boeing 787 (2014) a Boeing 757 (2015) and an Embraer 170 (2016) as flying testbeds.