Airbus signs MoU with EGTS International

As part of on-going research and development into future technology options, Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EGTS International, a joint venture company between Safran and Honeywell Aerospace, to further develop and evaluate an autonomous electric pushback and taxiing solution for the A320 Family.

EGTS International is a joint venture company between Safran and Honeywell Aerospace
Projected fuel savings and CO2 reductions up to four per cent per trip
Providing A320 Family operators autonomy from pushback tractors
Taxiing-related carbon and NOx emissions cut by more than half

As part of on-going research and development into future technology options, Airbus on Wednesday announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EGTS International, a joint venture company between Safran and Honeywell Aerospace, to develop and evaluate an autonomous electric pushback and taxiing solution for the A-320 family.

According to the statement issued here, the agreement marks the selection of EGTS International’s Electric Green Taxiing System to be evaluated as a new option on the A-320 family -- referred to by Airbus as eTaxi. This option would allow the aircraft to push-back from the gate without a tug, taxi-out to the runway, and return to the gate after landing without operating the main engines.
The statement said to regularly enhance the A-320 family’s capabilities and performance, Airbus invests approximately 300 million euros annually in keeping the aircraft highly competitive and efficient. More than 10,000 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,800 delivered to operators worldwide.