For future generation aircraft a number of initiatives are in progress worldwide examining the concept of the More/All Electric Aircraft, including the development of the More/All Electric Engine. The Reliable Electrical Actuation Systems (REACTS) programme, which is being part funded by the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is a multi-company research initiative with the aim of demonstrating the potential for replacing current hydraulic/pneumatic/fueldraulic engine actuation systems on civil aircraft with electromechanical equivalents. The actuators which control the engine variable inlet guide vanes (VIGVs) and the variable stator vanes (VSVs) have been identified for investigation and a concept demonstrator actuation system is being developed. This paper provides the background and requirement for the REACTS programme, and discusses the three major sections of work, namely: control and drive electronics, electromechanical design, and system modelling and fault detection, isolation and accommodation (FDIA). (16 pages)