Safran Helicopter Engines will power the new Leonardo AW09 that Japan is also buying. The production configuration of the next generation single-engine helicopter will be powered by Safran’s Arriel 2K engine, the latest version of the Arriel family.
The latest AW09 prototype, PS4, is about to start flight test activities with the Arriel 2K engine at Kopter’s facility in Mollis (Switzerland).PS4 includes all developments implemented and tested on P3, the previous prototype, allowing to reach the AW09 final configuration. PS5, the next and final prototype is planned to follow later in 2023.
The Arriel 2K is a 1,000 shp class engine and the newest evolution of Arriel 2 family. Safran Helicopter Engines is one of the propulsion market leaders for single-engine helicopters. The Arriel is one of Safran’s best sellers with over 15000 engines in operation.
The combined Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines support network will provide innovative, simplified and competitive maintenance solutions and cost of operations, sustained by tailored service plans and support-by-the-hour contracts as well as a large range of digital services.
Leonardo and Safran Helicopter Engines have a longstanding and now further expanding partnership spanning from propulsion systems for light twins up to super medium class helicopters. The two companies also share now the highest level of interest and commitment for the single-engine commercial market and its future evolution.
Franck Saudo, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, commented: “We are proud that Leonardo has placed its trust once again in Safran Helicopter Engines to power its latest light helicopter. We will bring to the AW09 our strong expertise in single-engine helicopter applications together with the specific features of the engine. The Arriel 2K engine is the latest version of the well-known Arriel engine family and will clearly bring high level of capability, reliability, and ease of operations to the AW09.”
The AW09 programme performed major steps forward in 2022 in parallel to the integration of the production propulsion system, including flying the new & final main rotor blades and agreeing the type certification basis with EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).
Gian Piero Cutillo, MD of Leonardo Helicopters, said: “Since the integration of Kopter into our organization and the introduction of the AW09 into our product range, we have firmly
maintained our commitment to deliver to the market exactly what it expects from a single engine of the latest standards backed by an efficient and responsive global support network. The decision to select this propulsion system is totally consistent with this strategy and we look forward to working with our partner to bring the most modern single engine on the commercial market.”
Leonardo has recently signed preliminary sales contracts for over 50 units with several customers worldwide including Aero Service Representação in Brazil, Synerjet Latina SA in Colombia, Peru and Chile, Helitech Asia in Southeast Asia, Safomar in South Africa, Diskopsa for Panama and Guatemala, Heliflite in Oceania Aero Facility in Japan.
