Nexcelle
An aerospace joint venture supplying integrated nacelle and thrust-reverser systems for commercial and business aircraft.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Nexcelle is a United States-based aerospace joint venture formed around the complementary capabilities of Middle River Aerostructure Systems (MRAS), part of Singapore-based ST Engineering, and France’s Safran Nacelles. The company develops, produces and supports integrated propulsion systems for jet-engine applications, with particular emphasis on nacelles, thrust reversers, exhaust systems, engine mounts and related aerostructures. Its headquarters are in Middle River, Maryland, near Baltimore. The company’s origins date to an agreement announced by GE Aviation and Safran at the 2008 Farnborough Airshow to establish a new nacelle joint venture. Nexcelle was publicly unveiled as the venture’s name in 2009. Its business model was based on combining Safran Nacelles’ expertise in thrust-reverser and nacelle systems with MRAS’s experience in inlet structures, fan cowls, engine mounts and aerostructural manufacturing. The venture also established a cooperative relationship with CFM International covering integrated propulsion systems for possible CFM-powered aircraft applications. Nexcelle’s first major program was the CFM International LEAP-1C propulsion system for the COMAC C919. In December 2009, the company was selected to supply a combined nacelle, thrust reverser and exhaust system for the LEAP-1C, the sole Western engine selected for the aircraft’s launch configuration. The system was designed as an integrated part of the engine-airframe installation rather than as a collection of wholly separate components. Its features included a composite-intensive nacelle, acoustic treatment, an electrically actuated thrust-reverser system, an all-new translating O-Duct configuration, a structurally integrated fan cowl and an integrated mounting arrangement intended to reduce engine distortion and improve on-wing performance. Under the work-sharing arrangement, Safran Nacelles took the lead industrial role for the C919 nacelle system and supplied the O-Duct thrust reverser, including its electrical actuation expertise. MRAS supplied the inlet, fan cowls, inner fixed structure and engine mounts. Testing of the PANACHE advanced nacelle demonstrator in 2012 provided an early validation of the thrust-reverser concept, including normal deployments, rejected-takeoff deployments and aborted-landing scenarios. The first C919 prototype flew in 2017, and its O-Duct thrust reverser was deployed during the aircraft’s first landing. The C919 subsequently received Chinese type certification in 2022 and entered initial commercial service preparations after delivery of the first aircraft to China Eastern Airlines. Nexcelle’s second major application was the GE Passport integrated propulsion system for Bombardier’s Global 7500 business jet, originally announced under the Global 7000 designation. GE selected Nexcelle in 2010 to provide the nacelle and thrust reverser, and the supply agreement was signed in 2011. The Global 7500 entered service in 2018 with a Nexcelle system incorporating a composite fan cowl, an extended aluminum inlet lip and outer barrel, a one-piece composite inner barrel with acoustic protection, and a directed-flow anti-ice arrangement. MRAS supplied the inlet, fan cowls and apron adapter for the side-mounted engines, while Safran Nacelles produced the target-type thrust reverser. Nexcelle delivered its 200th production nacelle for the Global 7500 in 2021. The ownership structure supporting Nexcelle also changed during its development. In 2019, MRAS was acquired by ST Engineering North America, becoming part of ST Engineering’s international aerospace network; its designation changed from Middle River Aircraft Systems to Middle River Aerostructure Systems. Management has alternated between personnel associated with the two parent companies. Nexcelle is therefore best understood as a specialized aerospace systems supplier and program-level joint venture rather than a consumer-facing brand. Its strategic positioning rests on integrating nacelle and thrust-reverser functions earlier in the propulsion-system design process, while distributing manufacturing and engineering responsibilities between its parent organizations.
History
Nexcelle emerged from a collaboration between GE Aviation and Safran intended to create a dedicated supplier of integrated nacelle systems. The agreement to establish the venture was announced at the Farnborough Airshow on July 15, 2008. The company name was unveiled in 2009, when Steve Walters was identified as its first president and the venture’s relationship with CFM International was described. That relationship covered the potential development and production of integrated propulsion systems for CFM-powered aircraft. The venture’s first significant industrial opportunity arrived in December 2009, when it was selected for the CFM International LEAP-1C engine powering China’s COMAC C919. Nexcelle’s scope covered a combined nacelle, thrust reverser and exhaust system. The design was intended to integrate the propulsion installation more closely with the aircraft and engine. It used substantial composite content, advanced acoustic treatment, an electrically actuated thrust-reverser system and a translating O-Duct configuration. The system also incorporated an integrated fan cowl and engine-mounting arrangement designed to improve installation and operating characteristics. The program divided responsibilities between the parent companies. Safran Nacelles led the industrial role for the overall C919 nacelle system and provided the O-Duct thrust reverser, including its electrical actuation expertise. MRAS supplied the inlet, fan cowls, inner fixed structure and engine mounts. In May 2012, Nexcelle began full-scale testing of the PANACHE demonstrator at GE Aviation’s Peebles Test Operation in Ohio. The work involved 200 cycles covering ordinary deployment, rejected-takeoff deployment and aborted-landing conditions. It provided a significant validation step for the thrust-reverser technology intended for the LEAP-1C application. Nexcelle expanded beyond the C919 program when GE selected it in October 2010 to supply the nacelle and thrust reverser for the Passport engine used on Bombardier’s Global 7000 business jet. The aircraft was later redesignated the Global 7500, and a supply agreement was signed at the 2011 Paris Air Show. The resulting nacelle included a simplified composite fan cowl, an extended aluminum inlet lip and outer barrel, a single-piece composite inner barrel with acoustic protection, and a directed-flow anti-ice system. MRAS produced the inlet, fan cowls and apron adapter, while Safran Nacelles manufactured the target-type thrust reverser. The Global 7500’s first delivery in December 2018 marked the first entry into service for a Nexcelle nacelle system. The company later announced delivery of its 200th production nacelle for the aircraft in 2021. Meanwhile, the C919 program progressed through flight testing. The first aircraft flew in May 2017 and used its O-Duct thrust reverser during its first landing. Chinese authorities issued the C919’s airworthiness type certification in September 2022, followed by COMAC’s first delivery to China Eastern Airlines in December of that year. Nexcelle’s corporate context changed in 2019 when ST Engineering North America acquired MRAS. The U.S. aerospace company became Middle River Aerostructure Systems and joined ST Engineering’s broader aerospace network. Nexcelle continued to operate as a joint venture between the MRAS business and Safran Nacelles. Its leadership also reflected the parent companies’ alternating management arrangement: Huntley Myrie succeeded Steve Walters in 2012, Michel J. Abella became president in 2013, Ken Onderko took the role in 2016, and Sugato Bhattacharjee became president in 2021. Tony Excoffon succeeded Bhattacharjee in 2023. Through these programs, Nexcelle established a position as a specialist supplier of integrated propulsion hardware for single-aisle commercial aircraft and large business jets.
- 2023
Tony Excoffon becomes president
[1]Tony Excoffon succeeded Sugato Bhattacharjee as president under the alternating management arrangement.
- 2022
C919 receives Chinese type certification
[1]The Civil Aviation Administration of China issued airworthiness type certification for the C919.
- 2021
200th Global 7500 nacelle delivered
[1]Nexcelle marked delivery of its 200th production nacelle for the Global 7500.
- 2019
MRAS acquired by ST Engineering
[1]MRAS became part of ST Engineering following its acquisition by ST Engineering North America.
- 2018
Global 7500 enters service
[1]The first Bombardier Global 7500 was delivered with a Nexcelle nacelle system.
- 2017
C919 maiden flight
[1]The first C919 flew and deployed the Nexcelle O-Duct thrust reverser during its first landing.
- 2012
PANACHE demonstrator testing begins
[1]Full-scale testing validated key elements of the advanced nacelle and thrust-reverser concept.
- 2010
Passport program selected
[1]GE selected Nexcelle for the nacelle and thrust reverser for the Passport-powered Bombardier Global business-jet program.
- 2009
Nexcelle name unveiled
[1]The new aerospace venture was publicly introduced under the Nexcelle name.
- 2009
C919 propulsion-system program awarded
[1]Nexcelle was selected to supply the integrated nacelle and thrust-reverser system for the LEAP-1C-powered COMAC C919.
Products and positioning
A specialized aerospace joint venture focused on integrated nacelle and thrust-reverser systems, combining Safran Nacelles’ propulsion-system expertise with MRAS’s aerostructural manufacturing and integration capabilities.
Commercial-aircraft propulsion integration · 2009
LEAP-1C integrated nacelle system
Nexcelle’s integrated nacelle, thrust-reverser and exhaust system for the CFM International LEAP-1C engine on the COMAC C919. The system uses composite-intensive structures, acoustic treatment, an electrically actuated translating O-Duct thrust reverser, an integrated fan cowl and an integrated engine-mounting arrangement. Safran Nacelles supplies the thrust reverser, while MRAS supplies major inlet, cowl, fixed-structure and mounting components.
Business-jet propulsion integration · 2010
GE Passport nacelle system
The nacelle and target-type thrust-reverser system developed for GE’s Passport turbofan on Bombardier’s Global 7500. Its features include a composite fan cowl, extended aluminum inlet structures, a one-piece composite inner barrel with acoustic protection and a directed-flow anti-ice system. MRAS supplies the inlet, fan cowls and apron adapter, while Safran Nacelles supplies the thrust reverser.
Brand decisions
2019
Integration of MRAS into ST EngineeringM&ABackground
MRAS was acquired by ST Engineering North America, changing the ownership context of Nexcelle’s U.S. parent.
Action taken
MRAS was renamed Middle River Aerostructure Systems and incorporated into ST Engineering’s global aerospace network.
Aftermath
Nexcelle continued operating as a joint venture between the ST Engineering-linked MRAS business and Safran Nacelles.
2010
Selection for the GE Passport nacelle systemProduct launchBackground
GE needed a nacelle and thrust-reverser supplier for the Passport-powered Bombardier Global 7000 business jet, later renamed the Global 7500.
Action taken
Nexcelle was selected to provide the nacelle and thrust reverser, with the parent companies dividing component production.
Aftermath
The system entered service with the first Global 7500 delivery in 2018 and reached 200 delivered production nacelles in 2021.
2009
Commitment to the C919 integrated propulsion systemProduct launchBackground
The COMAC C919 selected the CFM International LEAP-1C as its sole Western powerplant, creating an opportunity for a nacelle supplier able to integrate the nacelle, thrust reverser and exhaust functions.
Action taken
Nexcelle accepted responsibility for the combined nacelle, thrust-reverser and exhaust system and allocated production responsibilities between MRAS and Safran Nacelles.
Aftermath
The system progressed through demonstrator testing, C919 flight testing and the aircraft’s 2022 Chinese type certification.
Recent events
- 2023
Nexcelle management changes under alternating leadership arrangement[1]
Leadership change
Tony Excoffon succeeded Sugato Bhattacharjee as president under the joint venture’s alternating management arrangement.
- 2021
Nexcelle delivers its 200th Global 7500 production nacelle[1]
Other
The company reached a production milestone for nacelles supplied to the Passport-powered Global 7500.
- 2019
MRAS becomes part of ST Engineering’s aerospace network[1]
M&A
ST Engineering North America acquired MRAS, changing the company’s name from Middle River Aircraft Systems to Middle River Aerostructure Systems.
- 2018
Global 7500 enters service with Nexcelle nacelles[1]
Product launch
Delivery of the first Global 7500 marked the first service entry of a Nexcelle nacelle system.
- 2017
C919 completes maiden flight with Nexcelle thrust-reverser system[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The first C919 prototype flew and used the O-Duct thrust reverser during its first landing, demonstrating the system during flight testing.
- 2012
Nexcelle begins full-scale PANACHE nacelle testing[1]
Product generation
Testing at GE Aviation’s Peebles Test Operation evaluated the advanced thrust-reverser configuration through 200 deployment cycles.
- 2010
GE selects Nexcelle for the Passport system on Bombardier’s Global business jet[1]
Product launch
Nexcelle was selected to provide the nacelle and thrust reverser for GE’s Passport engine installation on Bombardier’s Global 7000 program, later renamed Global 7500.
- 2009
Nexcelle is selected for the CFM LEAP-1C propulsion system on the COMAC C919[1]
Product launch
The joint venture became responsible for supplying an integrated nacelle, thrust reverser and exhaust system for the LEAP-1C-powered C919.
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