Liebherr at Farnborough Airshow 2026

Aircraft manufacturers are increasing collaboration with system suppliers to develop more fuel-efficient and electrically powered aircraft. Liebherr works with multiple aerospace partners to integrate flight control, landing gear, thermal management, and digital engineering technologies into commercial, business, advanced air mobility, and defense aircraft programs.

Industrial Cooperation and Engineering Roles
The cooperation involves Liebherr-Aerospace working alongside aircraft manufacturers and aviation program partners throughout the design, qualification, production, and lifecycle support of aircraft systems. Rather than supplying isolated components, the company contributes integrated engineering solutions that combine mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and digital technologies.

Such collaboration is required because next-generation aircraft increasingly rely on interconnected subsystems that must satisfy stringent certification, safety, weight, and reliability requirements while supporting improved aerodynamic efficiency and lower fuel consumption.

Technical Solution and Responsibilities
Liebherr is responsible for developing and manufacturing several aircraft subsystems, including electromechanical actuators, landing gear, environmental control systems, thermal management equipment, signal and power electronics, and hydraulic technologies. Aircraft manufacturers integrate these systems into complete airframes and coordinate certification activities.

The company's electromechanical actuator portfolio has expanded to support advanced air mobility platforms, helicopters, business aircraft, and commercial aviation. The systems are designed for compact installation, optimized power-to-weight ratios, and operational reliability based on experience accumulated across numerous aircraft programs.

Another example of cooperation is the Boeing 777-9 folding wing tip mechanism. Liebherr supplies critical elements of the system, including the angled gearbox, power drive unit, and multiple actuators that enable the folding mechanism while maintaining compatibility with existing airport infrastructure. The extended wingspan improves aerodynamic efficiency during flight.

Thermal management also forms an important area of cooperation. Liebherr develops air-liquid heat exchangers, vapor cycle compressors, and electrically driven turbo compressors rated at 100 kW together with associated motor control units. These systems support the transition toward more-electric aircraft by providing efficient cooling for onboard electrical equipment.

Deployment and Industrial Implementation
The technologies are deployed across commercial aircraft, business jets, helicopters, advanced air mobility platforms, and military aircraft. Integration begins during aircraft development through digital engineering methods, including the exchange of digital models between Liebherr and aircraft manufacturers to support model-based system development.

Additive manufacturing is also incorporated into production. A hydraulic valve block for the Airbus A350 lower cargo door actuation system represents the company's first complex additively manufactured hydraulic component introduced into serial production.

Applications and Operational Benefits
The integrated systems support flight control, environmental control, landing gear operation, wing folding mechanisms, onboard cooling, and electrical power management. Applications extend to narrowbody commercial aircraft, future more-electric aircraft, cargo and troop transport aircraft, pilot training platforms, aerial refueling aircraft, and reconnaissance missions.

The combination of electrification, thermal management, lightweight design, and digital infrastructure contributes to improved maintainability, reduced system weight, higher energy efficiency, and more effective integration of complex aircraft systems throughout their operational lifecycle.

The technologies were presented during the Farnborough International Airshow, held from 20 to 24 July 2026 in Farnborough, United Kingdom.

Edited by Evgeny Churilov, Induportals Media - Adapted by AI.

www.liebherr.com