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CSA Catapult Powers Next Generation Electric Taxiing in new project

Date: 14.05.2026

Topics: Power Electronics

A large aeroplane on the runway at sunset, its reflection glowing on a wet surface under an orange sky. - CSA Catapult
CSA Catapult Powers Next Generation Electric Taxiing in new project

Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult (CSA Catapult) is proud to announce that it is a core technology partner in project SONATA, the ATI Programme funded project developing an on-aircraft electric green taxi system with regenerative braking and energy recovery. 

CSA Catapult, working alongside consortium partners Airbus, Evolito, DePe Gear, DSD, Magnomatics, the University of Southampton and Denchi will deliver the advanced power electronics and semiconductor integration that underpin the system’s performance and efficiency.   

Electric wheel taxiing allows aircraft to move on the ground using electric motors rather than main engines, reducing fuel burn, emissions, noise and brake wear during taxi operations. Project SONATA represents a major step toward more sustainable, ultraefficient aircraft operations. 

Project SONATA represents a transformative step toward cleaner, smarter and more efficient aircraft operations, demonstrating how UK led innovation in power electronics and compound semiconductor technology can unlock entirely new capabilities for the aviation sector.  

By delivering the critical energy conversion, control and packaging technologies at the heart of Project SONATA, CSA Catapult is helping pave the way for a future where electric ground operations become standard, reducing emissions, improving efficiency and strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in next generation aerospace electrification. 

“This is government and business collaboration in action to keep the UK at the forefront of innovation in our world-class aerospace sector, and I look forward to seeing how Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult’s project can cut emissions and transform airport taxiing for the long term. 

“We’re boosting our support for the aerospace industry through our Modern Industrial Strategy – giving business the confidence it needs to invest in UK advanced manufacturing and sustainable aviation.” 

“CSA Catapult’s role is to provide the control, power conversion and monitoring required to drive the wheel actuator motors. This includes the design, build and validation of the key power electronic converters that make electric taxiing possible. “

Industry Minister, Chris McDonald said:

“We are enormously proud to be a key enabler of project SONATA through our development of custom silicon carbide power modules for aerospace applications. This project combines our advanced R&D expertise, and our unique position in the semiconductor supply chain as the organisation that unlocks the wider ecosystem.”  

“We combine Active Metal Brazed substrates (AMB) for high thermal conductivity, additive manufacturing for lightweight, compact structural components, and AI-driven design optimisation to achieve maximum power density and minimum thermal loss.” 

“CSA Catapult is designing, optimising, manufacturing and testing a bespoke SiC power module for integration into its multilevel, multiphase aerospace inverter topology, targeting an ambitious 15 kW/kg power density that positions the technology at the forefront of emerging aerospace expectations.” 

The technology brought to the project by CSA Catapult allows efficient power converters to be integrated into the space-constrained landing gear bay, while maintaining reliability under vibration, shock, and thermal cycling.”

Caroline O’Brien, Chief Executive of CSA Catapult, said:

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