General Atomics

BAE Systems providing ACUs for JetZero demonstrator

BAE Systems will provide and integrate actuator control units (ACUs) for JetZero's next-generation blended wing body aircraft demonstrator, which is designed to deliver enhanced energy efficiency and reduced emissions.



Image courtesy JetZero

As part of the flight control system, BAE Systems’ ACUs interpret flight control signals, including pilot commands from active control sticks, which the company will also provide for the demonstrator.

The advanced ACUs function as remote actuators within a distributed flight control system. The units’ localised flight surface management capabilities deliver enhanced flight control with reliable, precise coordination and responsiveness.

"Our mature, highly capable actuator control units play a vital role in our shared vision of sustainable aviation with JetZero, seamlessly integrating with the flight control system," said Gary Battestin, director of Air Transport Systems for Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. "This technology enhances overall flight performance, supporting a cleaner and more efficient future for air travel."

By providing both the ACUs and the pilot control inceptors, BAE Systems will minimise the integration time for the aircraft. The actuation controllers are proven, reliable and previously certified systems that reduce customer risk, reinforcing the company’s leadership in stick-to-surface flight control solutions, from pilot input to surface response.

The ACUs will be designed and produced at the company’s facilities in Endicott, New York and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Related

Greene Tweed cuts Xycomp composite prototype lead times by nearly 50%
Green Tweed Robot Arm for rapid prototyping
Greene Tweed cuts Xycomp composite prototype lead times by nearly 50%
New process cuts prototype lead times in half, helping customers move faster from concept to testing 
VATM enlists NATS expertise to support Viet Nam’s rapid aviation growth
NATS has partnered with Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM)
VATM enlists NATS expertise to support Viet Nam’s rapid aviation growth
NATS will parter with Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation to unlock additional airport capacity, optimise airspace and explore time-based separation tools.
Aerospace Member News

8 Jul 2026

British Airways parent IAG invests in exosuit startup to ease strain of baggage handling
Baggage Handler on Ramp
British Airways parent IAG invests in exosuit startup to ease strain of baggage handling
British Airways parent IAG has invested in wearable robotics startup Verve Motion whose exosuits could reduce injuries and fatigue among baggage handlers.
Aerospace Most Read

8 Jul 2026

Greene Tweed cuts Xycomp composite prototype lead times by nearly 50%
Green Tweed Robot Arm for rapid prototyping
Greene Tweed cuts Xycomp composite prototype lead times by nearly 50%
New process cuts prototype lead times in half, helping customers move faster from concept to testing 
RAF Poseidon completes first UK North Pole mission during NATO High North training
RAF P-8 Poseidon north pole flight
RAF Poseidon completes first UK North Pole mission during NATO High North training
A Royal Air Force P-8A Poseidon has flown the UK fleet’s first mission to the North Pole, demonstrating its reach into the High North during NATO maritime patrol training from Norway.
Defence

8 Jul 2026

HMS Queen Elizabeth becomes NATO’s flagship for Allied Maritime Reaction Force
HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Queen Elizabeth becomes NATO’s flagship for Allied Maritime Reaction Force
HMS Queen Elizabeth will serve as NATO’s afloat command platform as the Royal Navy leads the Alliance’s high-readiness maritime response force for the next 12 months.
Defence Most Read

7 Jul 2026

Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Aeolus 2 by Airbus UK
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Airbus Defence and Space UK has been authorised to begin building Aeolus-2, a next-generation ESA and EUMETSAT weather satellite designed to deliver global wind measurements for more accurate forecasting, aviation operations and climate monitoring.
Space

6 Jul 2026

BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated the ability of its Endura system-on-chip (Soc) space processor…
Space

29 Jun 2026

BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems has entered into an agreement to build high-resolution imaging satellite buses for Vantor, a provider of unified spatial intelligence from space to ground.
Space

25 Jun 2026

Police leadership overhaul puts UK security capability under the spotlight
College of Policing image showing officers on the beat
Police leadership overhaul puts UK security capability under the spotlight
A major review of police leadership in England and Wales has warned that future UK security capability will depend on stronger leadership, skills and workforce planning as public safety organisations respond to more complex threats.
Security

7 Jul 2026

Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection has completed its transition from Smiths Group to CVC Capital Partners (CVC), a private markets investment firm.
Aerospace Security

1 Jul 2026

Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Provider of secure Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) networking and communication solutions, Serbus, has acquired Westica Communications Limited (Westica), for an undisclosed sum.
Defence Security

30 Jun 2026