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

Enhanced aviation programme to help college students into airport careers
TSCG and MAG aviation course launch 08.10.2026
Enhanced aviation programme to help college students into airport careers
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is building on its partnership with Trafford & Stockport College to bring industry insights into the classroom and enable young people to get hands-on experience relevant to today's aviation sector.
Aerospace

13 Oct 2026

3 innovative technologies selected for trial at Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport with Edelweiss aircraft
3 innovative technologies selected for trial at Glasgow Airport
The companies selected are part of an initiative supporting the development and adoption of new technologies across the UK’s aviation sector.
Aerospace

13 Oct 2026

UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress USAF at RAF Fairford
UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
UK government accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guards of directing a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, following seven arrests.
Aerospace Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Sir Ken McCallum, MI5 chief giving annual threat update at Thames House
MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Defence suppliers and critical infrastructure operators must strengthen protection against sabotage, cyber attacks and drone threats, MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has warned.
Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

UK firm MARSS wins £370m Kuwait counter-drone contract, creating 100 jobs
MARSS signs £370 million contract for nationwide counter-drone defence of Kuwait
UK firm MARSS wins £370m Kuwait counter-drone contract, creating 100 jobs
MARSS will deploy a nationwide AI-enabled counter-drone network for Kuwait under a £370m contract, creating around 100 skilled jobs in the UK.
Defence

13 Oct 2026

UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress USAF at RAF Fairford
UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
UK government accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guards of directing a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, following seven arrests.
Aerospace Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
The UK and Germany have agreed to deepen space launch cooperation, with Scotland's SaxaVord Spaceport securing European access to orbit.
Aerospace Defence Space

9 Oct 2026

Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
Satellite in Earth orbit
Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
In a project co-funded by the European Space Agency Business Applications and Space Solutions (ESA BASS) and supported by the UK Space Agency, Excelerate Technology will build and demonstrate how space-enabled assets can provide innovative safety and security solutions, including protection of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) at a site in the UK.
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
ESA Argonaut
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
As Europe prepares to return to the Moon, British-developed LEIA LiDAR technology will help ESA's Argonaut lander autonomously identify safe touchdown zones on the lunar surface.
Space

5 Oct 2026

MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Sir Ken McCallum, MI5 chief giving annual threat update at Thames House
MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Defence suppliers and critical infrastructure operators must strengthen protection against sabotage, cyber attacks and drone threats, MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has warned.
Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

Two in five UK workers lack training on AI-powered cyber threats
Cyber security being done by a man on a computer
Two in five UK workers lack training on AI-powered cyber threats
Adding AI to the already complex business of cyber security has the potential to make attacks more sophisticated and harder to spot.
Security

13 Oct 2026

UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress USAF at RAF Fairford
UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
UK government accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guards of directing a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, following seven arrests.
Aerospace Defence Security

13 Oct 2026