Red Box Aviation (LPA Group)

Red Box Aviation is a UK maker of aircraft ground support equipment, best known for ground power units (GPUs). It says it has been manufacturing ground support equipment since 1993 for civilian and military customers, and that it supplies customers in the UK and worldwide through a network of international distributors. The business is now part of LPA Group, an engineering company serving transport, aerospace, defence and industrial markets, and the website says Red Box Aviation continues as usual.

Products

• Aircraft ground power units: continuous power from 25 amps to 600 amps, and portable start units up to 7,000 amps peak, at 24V, 26V and 28V
• Start power units in 12V, 24V, 26V and 28V DC, including lithium and dry lead acid versions
• Combination start and continuous units powered by battery, mains or engine
• Static frequency converters, transformer rectifier units and battery carts
• Offshore power equipment
• Aircraft cables and connectors, including 3 pin and 28VDC connectors, extension harnesses and power harnesses
• Aircraft and utility tugs, which the company describes as able to push and pull aircraft up to 85,000 lb
• Load banks and test equipment

Aircraft search

The website has a search tool where a visitor enters an aircraft type and sees the recommended ground power unit. The company says this covers almost a thousand makes and models, from the Cessna 172 and Cirrus SR22 to the Airbus A380.

Company facts

• Manufacturing ground support equipment since 1993, as stated on its website
• ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification, as reported on its website
• Most products carry NATO codification, as reported on its website
• Acquired by LPA Group in January 2024, according to an LPA stock exchange announcement

Work on Cirrus aircraft

The website has a Cirrus page in its aircraft manufacturer section which says Red Box Aviation can supply start power units, continuous power units and tugs suitable for the Cirrus SR20, SR22, SR22 G2 and Vision aircraft. Its recommendation table lists the RB25 start unit, PS25 continuous power unit and 701E tug for the SR20, SR22 and SR22 G2; the RB50A start unit and RBSC100 continuous unit for the SR22T and the Vision Jet (tug: contact sales); and the RBL4000 start unit, PS50 continuous unit and 709 tug for the Vision. The page names the 701 and 709 tugs, the RB25A start unit and the RBPS25 continuous unit as its main suggestions for Cirrus owners.